Program Overview
Program Details
The program details are as follows:
Unit Description
PSYC109 - Applied Positive Psychology is a unit that explores the scientific study of happiness, well-being, and flourishing in the human experience. It examines a range of areas such as positive emotions, engagement, creativity, optimism, gratification, strengths, virtues, and meaning.
Unit Rationale
The unit is experiential and project-based, where students will learn topics and theories that help people flourish and live their lives to their full potential. In this unit, students will also evaluate research literature, participate in positive psychological interventions, and develop professionally relevant skills and experience in the positive psychology field.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
- Describe and differentiate key conceptual frameworks and interventions underpinning positive psychology
- Distinguish between problem-focused and strengths-based approaches to mental health and well-being
- Apply a strengths-based approach to specific mental health issues
- Apply a variety of positive psychology interventions to enhance well-being
Graduate Attributes
The unit is designed to develop the following graduate attributes:
- Demonstrate respect for the dignity of each individual and for human diversity
- Recognise their responsibility to the common good, the environment, and society
- Apply ethical perspectives in informed decision making
- Think critically and reflectively
- Demonstrate values, knowledge, skills, and attitudes appropriate to the discipline and/or profession
- Locate, organise, analyse, synthesise, and evaluate information
- Utilise information and communication and other relevant technologies effectively
Content
Topics will include:
- Introduction to positive psychology
- Psychology flow
- Spirituality and well-being
- Positive emotions
- Emotional intelligence
- Optimism and hope
- Resilience
- Positive psychology theories and interventions
- Prevention and enhancement
- Positive relationships
- Creativity
- Future of positive psychology
Learning and Teaching Strategy
The unit will use an experiential approach to the teaching/learning process, and students will be required to undertake a range of activities to explore the critical issues. The teaching and learning strategies are structured on the principles of experiential and adult learning that aim to facilitate the integration of theory and practice.
Assessment Strategy
Standards-based assessment tasks for this unit are designed for students to demonstrate their acquisition of knowledge, the application of that knowledge, and achievement of each learning outcome. The assessments include:
- Practical Report (30%)
- Essay (40%)
- Final Exam (30%)
Representative Texts and References
The unit will draw on a range of texts and references, including:
- Compton, W. C., & Hoffman, E. (2019). Positive psychology: The science of happiness and flourishing. Sage Publications.
- Fredrickson, B. L. (2001). The role of positive emotions in positive psychology: the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. American psychologist, 56(3), 218.
- Gander, F., Proyer, R. T., Ruch, W. & Wyss, T. (2013). Strength-based positive interventions: Further evidence for their potential in enhancing wellbeing and alleviating depression. Journal of Happiness Studies, 14(3), 911-931.
- Park, N., Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Strengths of character & wellbeing. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 23(5), 603-619.
- Peterson, C. (2000). The future of optimism. American Psychologist, 55(1), 44-55.
- Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and wellbeing. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68-78.
- Ryff, D. C. (2022). Positive Psychology: Looking Back, Looking Forward. Frontiers in psychology, 13, 840649.
- Seligman, M. E. P., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: An introduction. American Psychologist, 55(1), 5-14.
- Wissing M. P. (2022). Beyond the "Third Wave of Positive Psychology": Challenges and Opportunities for Future Research. Frontiers in psychology, 13, 799634.