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Module Catalogue

PS378-15 Positive Psychology: positive experiences, traits, and institutions

Department
Psychology
Level
Undergraduate Level 3
Module leader
Luke Hodson
Credit value
15
Module duration
12 weeks
Assessment
Multiple
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

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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 as a critical perspective on 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.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

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. Providing and responding to constructive feedback.

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 12 sessions of 2 hours (16%)
Seminars 10 sessions of 1 hour (7%)
Other activity 1 hour (1%)
Private study 49 hours (33%)
Assessment 66 hours (44%)
Total 150 hours

Private study description

Private reading and study

Other activity description

Attending and presenting at a poster session.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group D1
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Assessment component
Seminar participation/Reflection. 5% 5 hours No

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.
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment component
Intervention proposal 30% 30 hours Yes (extension)

Write a 800-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. This assessment should also include an updated version of the poster presented for the poster presentation; the 800 words will not include poster content.
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment component
Intervention proposal: poster session 7% 5 hours No

Students will be asked to create and present a poster to 'pitch' their proposed intervention. The purpose of this poster is to gain some constructive feedback from peers, and collate ideas. Students will be expected to briefly detail their proposed intervention, some initial literature to support the claim, and outline how the intervention might be measured. Peer feedback will be gathered during the poster session, and some brief feedback will be provided from convenors or TAs. Students should use feedback to further develop the intervention proposal for the end of term assessment (an updated version of the poster to be included as part of the end of term intervention proposal).
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment component
Intervention proposal: Poster session contribution 3% 1 hour No

Students will be awarded a pass/fail mark for contributing to the poster session. Students will be expected to review peer posters, discussion ideas, contribute ideas.
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment component
Online Examination 55% 25 hours No

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

  • Online examination: No Answerbook required
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment group S
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Assessment component
Seminar participation/Reflection. 5% 5 hours No
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment component
Intervention proposal 30% 30 hours Yes (extension)
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment component
Intervention proposal: poster session 7% 5 hours No
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment component
Intervention proposal: Poster session contribution 3% 1 hour No
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment component
Online Examination 55% 25 hours No
  • Online examination: No Answerbook required
Reassessment component is the same
Feedback on assessment

Standardised feedback form used by module convenor and/or TAs on poster session. Written comments on the intervention will be provided on Tabula. Exam results will be available online.

Past exam papers for PS378

Courses

This module is Optional for:

  • UPHA-L1CA Undergraduate Economics, Psychology and Philosophy
    • Year 3 of L1CA Economics, Psychology and Philosophy
    • Year 3 of L1CC Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Behavioural Economics Pathway)
    • Year 3 of L1CD Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Economics with Philosophy Pathway)
    • Year 3 of L1CE Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Philosophy and Psychology Pathway)
  • UPHA-L1CB Undergraduate Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (with Intercalated Year)
    • Year 4 of L1CG Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Behavioural Economics Pathway) (with Intercalated Year)
    • Year 4 of L1CH Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Economics with Philosophy Pathway) (with Intercalated Year)
    • Year 4 of L1CJ Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Philosophy and Psychology Pathway) (with Intercalated Year)
    • Year 4 of L1CB Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (with Intercalated Year)
  • 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 Unusual option for:

  • Year 3 of UPHA-L1CA Undergraduate Economics, Psychology and Philosophy

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)