Positive Psychology 2500-EN-PS-EAc-03
Seminar (SEM) Summer semester 2023/24

- Understanding of the core concepts, theories and studies in Positive Psychology

- Awareness of the extent to which current psychology addresses all aspects of human functioning.

- Knowledge of the effectiveness of various “positive treatments in increasing happiness and life satisfaction.

40% Essay, 2000 words ( around week 11; exploring a chosen topic in Positive Psychology beyond the curriculum of this course)

40% Final exam, 1,5h, written, Short Answer Questions, testing knowledge of the main concepts and studies

20% Mid-term exam, 0,5 h, written in class around week 6

Students are allowed 2 unexcused absence. 2 more absences are permitted with formal excuse. No more than 4 absences are allowed irrespective of excuse.

NB: The following is a list of topics with only selected readings. The full reading list for each class will be provided in powerpoint presentations.

1. Positive psychology: An introduction (Seligman, M.E., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. , 2000)

2. Historical approach to mental health versus mental illness (Freud, 1895; Maslow, 1954, Jahoda, 1958)

3. Pop psychology versus the science of happiness; research methodology in positive psychology (Peterson & Seligman, 2004; Seligman & Steen, 2005)

4. The science of happiness: neurobiology and heritability issues (Kringelbach & Herridge, 2010)

5. What exactly is happiness? Individual determinants and correlates of happiness (Peterson, 2000; Seligman & Stten, 2004)).

6. “Happy countires”: Cross-cultural determinants of happiness. (Diener & Tay, 2015; Myers, 2000; Schwartz et al 2013)

7. Evolution of happiness (Buss, 2000)

8. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger? Growth through adversity. (Dobbs, 2009; Jayawickreme et al 2015)

9. Growth through adversity: Army strong. Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness (CSF2).

10. Can we teach children to be happier? Introduction to Positive education. (Seligman et al, 2009: Lubinski & Benbow, 2000; Simonton, 2000).

11. Positive education: Grit and self-control (Duckworth et al., 2007).

12. Positive education: Mindset Theory (Dweck, 2006)

13. Prospective Psychology.

14. Applying Positive Psychology & Revision

15. Exam

The course is intended to be very interactive, encouraging students to speak up, to ask questions and to discuss various issues. In the same vein, small group activities will be designed to increase class participation and make the material more meaningful. If technology allows, we will also try out at least some of the numerous measures and tests made available e.g. by the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania, to get a hands on experience of this field. Reading lists will be provided and students will be encouraged to explore the field further.