Positive Psychology (PSY409) Table of Contents

Positive Psychology (PSY409)

Table of Contents

Lesson 1 Positive Psychology

1

Lesson 2 Introduction

4

Lesson 3 Perspectives On Positive Psychology

7

Lesson 4 Classification And Measures Of Human Strengths

10

Lesson 5 Measures Of Human Strengths & Positive Outcomes

12

Lesson 6 Positive Emotions

15

Lesson 7 Positive Emotions

17

Lesson 8 Happiness & Subjective Well-Being

20

Lesson 9 Determinants Of Subjective Well-Being

23

Lesson 10 Determinants Of Subjective Well-Being

27

Lesson 11 Emotion Focused Coping

31

Lesson 12 Emotional Intelligence

34

Lesson 13 Socioemotional Selectivity

37

Lesson 14 Self-Efficacy

39

Lesson 15 Self-Efficacy

42

Lesson 16 Optimism

47

Lesson 17 Optimism

50

Lesson 18 Hope

52

Lesson 19 Hope

56

Lesson 20 Positive Development Across The Life Span: Resilience

59

Lesson 21 Resilience In Later Years

62

Lesson 22 Wisdom

65

Lesson 23 Wisdom

68

Lesson 24 Wisdom

71

Lesson 25 Courage

74

Lesson 26 Courage

77

Lesson 27 Courage & Mindfulness

81

Lesson 28 Mindfulness

84

Lesson 29 Mindfulness & FLOW

87

Lesson 30 Flow

93

Lesson 31 Spirituality/ Religiosity

97

Lesson 32 Religiosity & Altruism

100

Lesson 33 Altruism & Gratitude

103

Lesson 34 Measuring Gratitude

106

Lesson 35 Forgiveness

108

Lesson 36 Attachment

112

Lesson 37 Attachment & Flourishing Relationships

115

Lesson 38 Moving Toward Balanced Conceptualizations

118

Lesson 39 Moving Toward Balanced Conceptualizations & Enhancing the Good

120

Lesson 40 Enhancing the Good & Positive Schooling

123

Lesson 41 Positive Schooling

125

Lesson 42 Good Work

127

Lesson 43 Good Work

131

Lesson 44 A Positive Look at the Future of Psychology

133

Lesson 45 Positive Psychology: Final Review

135

Positive Psychology (PSY409)

Lesson 01 POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY Definition "Positive Psychology is the side of the science of human mind and behavior that studies and promotes the best of humanity." It has always been part of psychological science, but modern life has heightened the need to give special attention specifically to the positive aspects of psychology. Positive psychology is the positive half of psychological science. As such, it will end up as composing half of almost every chapter in an Introductory Psychology textbook.

Objectives ? To provide an overview of the major subfields of positive psychology ? To highlight and discuss the importance of emotional, cognitive, and prosocial factors which could make one's life more meaningful. ? To gain a deeper insight in the current research focused on pleasure, joy, creativity, self-efficacy, flow, well-being, etc. ? To discuss how positive changes can be made in one's life by thinking and behaving positively ? To get an understanding of the valued personal experiences in the past, in the present and for the future contributing to personal satisfaction and happiness. ? To identify and use positive emotions and strengths to spark personal growth. ? To use the knowledge obtained through the Positive Psychology course to promote the development of those positive features of human psychology, by guiding both individuals and the institutions within which they function.

Learning Outcomes ? After completion of this course the students will be able to: ? Understand the importance of personal experiences and traits contributing toward greater subjective well-being. ? Improve their relationships and interaction with others. ? Conquer or reduce stress in life. ? To develop a deeper insight in the current research focused on human strengths and virtues.

Text Books ? Snyder, C.R., & Lopez, S.J.(2007). Positive Psychology. London: Sage Publications. ? William, C., & Compton (2005). An Introduction to positive Psychology. London: Thompson Learning ? Journal Articles

Reference Books ? Snyder, C.R., & Lopez, S.J. (2003). Handbook of Positive Psychology. London: Sage Publications. ? Seligman, M. E. P. (2002). Authentic Happiness. Free Press.

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Positive Psychology (PSY409) Books on Positive Psychology

Teaching Strategies Formal Lectures The lectures are designed for greater and deeper understanding of course content. Students are expected to write short papers and assignments about their best thoughts or questions about the course content and prepare a final portfolio after brainstorming. Classroom activities

? Personal Mini-Experiments ? Life Enhancing Activities

Modules ? Module 1 An Overview of Positive Psychology ? Module 2 Positive Emotional States and Processes ? Module 3 Positive cognitive states and processes ? Module 4 Prosocial Behavior ? Module 5 Understanding and changing human behavior ? Module 6 Positive environments

George Bernard Shaw Bernard Shaw expressed about human's positive imagery that you see things, and you say, "Why?" But I dream of things that never were; and I say "Why not?"

What is Positive Psychology? Positive psychology is the scientific and practical pursuit of optimal human functioning and it augments psychology's long-term focus on weakness and illness. Positive psychology efforts underway to shift focus from preoccupation only with repairing the worst things in life to also building positive qualities while traditional focus in psychology has been on pathology Asks fundamental questions:

o What kinds of families result in children who flourish? o What work settings support the greatest satisfaction among workers? o What policies result in the strongest civic engagement? o How can people's lives be most worth living?

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Positive Psychology (PSY409)

Dimensions of Positive Psychology The range of possible interest areas in positive psychology is quite large, however, some broad dimensions have been used to define the new area in general way. In order to nurture talent and make life more fulfilling, positive psychology focuses on three areas of human experience that help to define the scope and orientation of a positive psychology perspective.

Subjective level At the subjective level, positive psychology looks at positive subjective states or positive emotions such as happiness, joy, satisfaction with life, relaxation, love intimacy, and contentment. Positive subjective states also can include constructive thoughts about the self and the future, such as optimism and hope. Positive subjective states may also include feelings of energy, vitality, and confidence, or the effects of positive emotions such as laughter.

Individual Level At the individual level, positive psychology focuses on a study of positive individual traits, or the more enduring and persistent behavior patterns seen in people over time. This study might include individual traits such as courage, persistence, honesty, or wisdom. That is, positive psychology includes the study of positive behaviors and traits that historically have been used to define "character strengths" or virtues. It can also include the ability to develop aesthetic sensibility or tap into creative potentials and the drive to pursue excellence.

Society/Group Level At the group or societal level, positive psychology focuses on the development, creation, and maintenance of positive institutions. In this area, positive psychology addresses issues such as the development of civic virtues, the creation of healthy families, the study of healthy work environments, and positive communities.

Psychology's Forgotten Mission Psychology has not always focused on the adaptable, the healthy, and the positive aspects of humanity. In fact, for many years professional psychology largely ignored the study of the positive side of human behavior. Seligman (2000) noted that prior to World War II there were only three major missions in psychology:

o The first early mission of psychology was to cure mental illness. The terrible consequences of mental illness for many people, their families, and the community demanded that psychology use the methods of science to seek solutions to this problem.

o The second early mission of psychology was to find and nurture genius and talent. Many of the early studies in this area focused on the development of intelligence.

o The third early mission of psychology was to make normal life more fulfilling. Obviously, there is more to living a satisfied and happy life than simply getting one's immediate needs met in a reasonable amount of time.

Treating mental illness aspect was remarkably successful, in the early 1950s, however no real cures existed for mental illness. Human beings were perceived as passive creatures in face of childhood repressed impulses, environmental influences or genetic factors. Psychologists started curing damaged brains, damaged childhood, damaged habits, damaged drives. Face of Psychology changed after War and last two missions were forgotten.

References Snyder, C.R., & Lopez, S.J. (2007). Positive Psychology. London: Sage Publications (pp. 3-7)

Snyder, C.R., & Lopez, S.J. (2003). Handbook of Positive Psychology. London: Sage Publications (pp. 3-6)

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