PS378-15 Positive Psychology: positive experiences, traits, and institutions
Introductory description
Positive psychology is an increasingly popular field of study, facilitating an alternative perspective on many of the key phenomena psychologists are interested in. Central to positive psychology, much as the name suggests, is the exploration of positives; be they experiences, traits, or even wider institutions. However, in practice this extends beyond 'happiness', and into what allows people to develop, flourish and enhance their well-being.
Module aims
This module aims to provide students with an introduction and overview of positive psychology, the impact positive psychology has on psychology more generally, and a focused understanding of positive-psychology based interventions.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Topics this module will cover include: wellbeing, positive emotions, character strengths, positive cognition, applications of positive psychology. positive relationships, intervention development and application, positive institutions and society, and positive psychology on humanising psychology (queering and decolonising psychology).
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of Positive Psychology (PP)
- Evaluate the methods and research used to develop the core ideas of PP
- Evaluate the various applications of PP
- Show an understanding of how PP can complement other fields of Psychology
- Formulate and critically evaluate a PP-based intervention
Indicative reading list
Compton, W. C., & Hoffman, E. (2019). Positive Psychology (3rd Edition). SAGE Publications, Inc. (US).
Lopez, S. J., Pedrotti, J. T., & Snyder, C. R. (2018). Positive Psychology (4th Edition). SAGE Publications, Inc. (US).
Lopez, S. J., & Snyder, C. R. (2011). Oxford handbook of positive psychology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Research element
Students will conduct an applied research project in the form of a planned positive psychology intervention. This will involve reviewing relevant literature to better understand interventions, evaluating and selecting appropriate methodologies for both implementing and assessing their proposed interventions, and exploring the potential application of the proposed intervention in a 'real-world' setting.
Subject specific skills
Understanding of positive psychological theories, research methods (including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches), and practices. Understanding, evaluation, and application of positive-psychology based interventions.
Transferable skills
Project planning and delivery. Collecting and organising information. Critical thinking. Creative problem-solving. Bringing data to bear on problems. Written and oral communication. Group cooperation. Research and data interpretation.
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 12 sessions of 2 hours (16%) |
| Seminars | 10 sessions of 1 hour (7%) |
| Private study | 56 hours (37%) |
| Assessment | 60 hours (40%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
Private reading and study
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group D
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
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| Seminar participation/Reflection. | 5% | 5 hours | No |
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Each student will turn in a summary reflecting on what they learned throughout the positive psychology module. This assessment should be completed at regular intervals throughout the module, and can be presented as a document, blog post, Padlet wall etc., Students will be asked to complete at least five pieces of reflection (approx. 100 words each), and each entry will be weighted as 1% (5% in total) and marked as pass/fail. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Intervention proposal | 35% | 30 hours | Yes (extension) |
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Write a 1500-word (maximum) proposal in which you outline the main theoretical and empirical background to, and rationale for, your proposed intervention, the positive psychology concept on which it is based, the methodology used to develop the intervention, how the intervention efficacy will be assessed, and its application. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Online Examination | 60% | 25 hours | No |
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Twenty-four hour assessment on all topics covered in lectures and seminars. Students will see example questions in advance of the final assessment. Selected as three hours for duration due to limitation of drop down. ~Platforms - AEP
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Feedback on assessment
Written comments on the intervention will be provided on Tabula. Exam results will be available online.
Courses
This module is Optional for:
- Year 3 of UPSA-C800 Undergraduate Psychology
- Year 4 of UPSA-C801 Undergraduate Psychology (with Intercalated year)
- Year 4 of UPSA-C806 Undergraduate Psychology with Education Studies (with Intercalated Year)
This module is Option list A for:
- Year 3 of UPSA-C804 Undergraduate Psychology with Education Studies
This module is Option list B for:
- Year 3 of UPHA-VL78 BA in Philosophy with Psychology
- Year 1 of TPSS-C8P9 Postgraduate Taught Psychological Research
This module is Option list C for:
- Year 3 of UPSA-C802 Undergraduate Psychology with Linguistics
- Year 4 of UPSA-C805 Undergraduate Psychology with Linguistics (with Intercalated Year)
This module is Unusual option for:
- Year 4 of UPSA-C805 Undergraduate Psychology with Linguistics (with Intercalated Year)