ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines what could be termed a culturally competent approach to positive psychology. It explores the feasibility of applying positive psychology in a context decidedly outside of its philosophical home and proposes a culturally competent approach to positive psychology. The cultural competence model is based on our best reading of current research and theory, albeit from a progressive, politically committed and anti-foundationalist perspective. The litmus test for a culturally competent positive psychology is that it respects both the culturalist and the race-based positions. The culturalist perspective reminds that culture impacts all aspects of existence, including the experience, expression, and understanding of well-being. Positive psychology was developed and came of age during the era of diversity awareness in psychology in the US. From our reading, positive psychology at once adopts a metatheoretical approach, as well as making more specific claims about human nature. Positive psychology's focus on "positive" emotions raises another related issue.
