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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Positive Psychology
Module Code PSYC107 (ITS) / PSY1011 (Banner)
Faculty Science & Health School Psychology
Module Co-ordinatorElizabeth Mc Loughlin
Module Teachers-
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
None
Description

To promote an understanding of the science and applications related to the study of psychological strengths and well being. Psychologists interested in promoting human potential need to start with different assumptions and to pose different questions from their peers who assume a disease model. This module will concern itself with the basics of positive psychology by looking at the theories associated with happiness, healthiness and contentment, while students will be afforded the opportunity to experience the positive impact of volunteering for a 6 week period during semester.

Learning Outcomes

1. Discuss the aim, scope, theories and concepts of positive psychology.
2. Contrast the principles of positive psychology principles and other theoretical principles of psychology.
3. Develop an understanding of the dimensions of subjective well-being and the application to their lives and to real world domains.
4. Comprehend research that supports the principles, strategies, and skills of positive psychology.
5. Discuss how they can work to their personal strengths and maximize their well-being.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture16No Description
Independent Study72students are expected to independently engage with the lecture material and resources, both on an individual and a group basis.
Lecture13journal writing labs and reflective journal preparation
Assignment Completion24volunteering
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

What is Positive Psychology?

Pleasure – the Value of Positive Emotion

Optimism and Character Strengths

Positive Cognitive States and Processes

Prosocial Behaviour

Understanding and Changing Human Behaviour

Positive Environments

Looking Toward the Future of Positive Psychology

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Reflective journalUtilising the experiences and insights gained from volunteering, students will be required to compile a reflective journal that explores positive psychology and it's evidentiary basis in a specific context50%
Group project Students will be provided with an approriate essay that has derived from Chat GPT. They will work, as a group, to critique the essay by researching the topic themselves, using robust searching, reading and research skills to prepare an evidenced based group response to the AI generated essay.50%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Carr, A.: 2011, Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness and Human Strengths., 2nd, Routledge, Hove,
  • SELIGMAN, M.: 2011, Flourish: A New Understanding of Happiness and Well-Being - and How To Achieve Them, Nicholas Brealey Publishing,
  • by Stewart I. Donaldson, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi: 2011, Applied Positive Psychology: Improving Everyday Life, Schools, Work, Health and Society (Applied Psychology Series), Routledge,
  • Glenn Geher and Nicole Wedberg: 2022, Positive Evolutionary Psychology Darwin's Guide to Living a Richer Life, Oxford Univesity Press, 9780197656792
  • Seligman, M.: 1998, Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life., New York: Pocket Books.,
  • Seligman, M.: 2002, Authentic Happiness., Free Book Press.,
  • Snyder, C.R. and Lopez, S.J.: 2007, Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths., New York: Sage.,
  • Csikszentmihalyi, I.S. (2006).: 0, A Life Worth Living: Contributions to Positive Psychology., New York: Oxford University Press.,
  • Covey, S.: 1989, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People., New York: Simon & Schuster.,
  • Bryant, F. B., & Veroff, J. (2007).: 0, Savoring: A New Model of Positive Experience., Mahway, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.,
  • Easterbrook, G. (2003).: 0, The Progress Paradox: How Life Gets Better While People Feel Worse., New York: Random House.,
  • Kahneman, D., Diener, N. and Schwarz, N. (Eds.),: 0, Well-being: The Foundations of Hedonic Psychology ., NewYork: Russell Sage Foundation.,
  • Keyes, C. and Haidt. J. (Eds.), .: 0, Flourishing: Positive Psychology and the Life Well-Lived, Washington: American Psychological Association,
  • Linley, P.A. and Joseph, S. (Eds.),: 0, Positive Psychology in Practice., Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.,
  • Snyder, C. R., & Lopez, S. J. (Eds.) (2002).: 0, Handbook of Positive Psychology., New York: Oxford University Press,
  • C.R. Snyder, Shane J. Lopez, Lisa M. Edwards, and Susana C. Marques: 2021, The Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology, 3rd, Oxford University Press, 9780199396511
  • Matthew W. Gallagher and Shane J. Lopez: 2018, The Oxford Handbook of Hope, Oxford University Press, ISBN: 9780199
  • Boniwell, I & Tunariu A. D.: 2019, Positive Psychology: Theory, Research and Applications, Mc Graw Hill, 9780335262182
Other Resources

None

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