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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Environmental influences on wellbeing
Module Code PSYC517 (ITS) / PSY1002 (Banner)
Faculty Science & Health School Psychology
Module Co-ordinatorSinead Smyth
Module Teachers-
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 10
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
Coursework Only
Description

Module Aims: This module is intended to explore the impact of external factors on personal well-being. It will: • Explore the impact of a broad range of factors including economic, employment, culture. • Introduce students to a wide range of literature on these topics • Explore means of ameliorating negative effects of environmental influences.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the influence of context on well-being.
2. Identify environmental and non-environmental factors that can influence well-being in both positive and negative ways.
3. Critically evaluate cutting edge research on the impacts of such factors.
4. Identify and critically evaluate evidence for strategies to ameliorate the negative effects or promote positive effects of such factors.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture22lectures
Seminars9workshops and seminars
Online activity10Directed online activities
Assignment Completion70Preparation of oral presentation and report
Independent Study121independent research and reading to support lectures, assignments and module activities.
Group work18No Description
Total Workload: 250

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

Indicative Content and Learning Activities
The module will be delivered through online lectures and tutorials as well as online learning activities and summative assessment through oral presentations, a literature review and end of year exam. Topics covered throughout the module will include: • Introduction to the influences of context on lifestyle and well-being. • Well-being in the workplace • Sustainability and wellbeing; green and blue prescriptions • Social influences on well-being • Policy development for well-being promotion • Education and well-being • Well-being and the law • Well-being in different cultures nationally and internationally. • Well-being in the cyber environment

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Group project Group project - students will identify an instance where environmental factors contributes negatively to one aspect of wellbeing. Students will outline their problem statement and review the psychological literature. They will understand the barriers and facilitators to behaviour change including consideration of stakeholder perspective. This will be presented as a group symposium of oral presentations of conference standard (30%) and individual written report/portfolio (70%).100%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

  • Diener, E., Kahneman, D., & Helliwell, J.: 2010, International differences in well-being., Oxford University Press., Oxford,
  • Van Veldhoven, M., & Peccei, R. (Eds.).: 2014, Well-being and Performance at Work: The role of context., Psychology Press,
  • Haworth, J., & Hart, G. (Eds.).: 2007, Well-being: Individual, community and social perspectives., Springer,
  • Bornstein, M. H., Davidson, L., Keyes, C. L., & Moore, K. A. (Eds.).: 2013, Well-being: Positive development across the life course., Psychology Press.,
  • Diener, E., & Suh, E. M. (Eds.).: 2000, (2000). Culture and subjective well-being., MIT press.,
  • Diener, E., Scollon, C. N., & Lucas, R. E.: 2009, (2009). The evolving concept of subjective well-being: The multifaceted nature of happiness. In Assessing well-being (pp. 67-100)., Springer, Dordrecht.,
  • Sheldon, K. M., & Hoon, T. H.: 2013, The multiple determination of well-being: Independent effects of positive traits, needs, goals, selves, social supports, and cultural contexts. In The exploration of happiness (pp. 141-160)., Springer Netherlands.,
  • Carlson, M.: 2014, CBT for Chronic Pain and Psychological Well-Being: A Skills Training Manual Integrating DBT, ACT, Behavioral Activation and Motivational Interviewing., John Wiley & Sons.,
  • Biglan, A. (2015).: 0, The nurture effect: How the science of human behavior can improve our lives and our world. New Harbinger Publications.,
Other Resources

None

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