PSY409 Final Term Highlighted Handouts Set 2

Table of Contents

Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Lesson 3 Perspectives On Positive Psychology Lesson 4 Classification And Measures Of Human Strengths Lesson 5 Measures Of Human Strengths & Positive Outcomes Lesson 6 Lesson 7 Lesson 8 Happiness & Subjective Well-Being Lesson 9 Determinants Of Subjective Well-Being Lesson 10 Determinants Of Subjective Well-Being Lesson 11 Emotion Focused Coping Lesson 12 Emotional Intelligence Lesson 13 Socioemotional Selectivity Lesson 14 Self-Efficacy Lesson 15 Self-Efficacy Lesson 16 Optimism Lesson 17 Optimism Lesson 18 Hope Lesson 19 Hope Lesson 20 Positive Development Across The Life Span: Resilience Lesson 21 Resilience In Later Years Lesson 22 Wisdom Lesson 23 Wisdom Lesson 24 Wisdom Lesson 25 Courage Lesson 26 Courage Lesson 27 Courage & Mindfulness Lesson 28 Mindfulness Lesson 29 Mindfulness & FLOW Lesson 30 Flow Lesson 31 Spirituality/ Religiosity Lesson 32 Religiosity & Altruism Lesson 33 Altruism & Gratitude Lesson 34 Measuring Gratitude Lesson 35 Forgiveness Lesson 36 Attachment Lesson 37 Attachment & Flourishing Relationships Lesson 38 Moving Toward Balanced Conceptualizations Lesson 39 Moving Toward Balanced Conceptualizations & Enhancing the Good Lesson 40 Enhancing the Good & Positive Schooling Lesson 41 Positive Schooling Lesson 42 Good Work Lesson 43 Good Work Lesson 44 A Positive Look at the Future of Psychology Lesson 45 Positive Psychology: Final Review

Lesson 01

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.

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.

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?