Taking the High Road in Life

Abstract

This chapter addresses “strategic pluralism,” or the fact that multiple behavioral strategies exist in most life domains. Dark strategies, which focus on selfish approaches to advancing one’s own goals, are described from an evolutionary perspective. Costs and benefits of such strategies are presented. Other-oriented strategies to life are also presented, so that a side-by-side comparison can be made by the reader. Bad-mouthing others in one’s social sphere is used as an example of a dark strategy. Alternative strategies for dealing with others, focusing on mutual respect and “taking the high road,” are also discussed in detail. This chapter is about taking the high road in life; taking the high road is seen as consistent with the goals of positive psychology.