Module: Positive Psychology

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Positive Psychology
Module Code	PSY1011 (ITS: PSYC107)
Faculty	Psychology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

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.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	16	No Description
Independent Study	72	students are expected to independently engage with the lecture material and resources, both on an individual and a group basis.
Lecture	13	journal writing labs and reflective journal preparation
Assignment Completion	24	volunteering
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20959	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Elizabeth Mc Loughlin	Module Teacher	Grace Carroll, Pamela Gallagher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Reflective journal	Utilising 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 context	50%	Week 1
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; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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

Articles:

0: Journal of Positive Psychology, 59427, 1
American Psychologist: 59428, 1,
59429: 1, 0, Psychological Science,
1: 0, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,
0: Review of General Psychology, 59432, 1
Cognition and Emotion: 64321, 1, Journal of Possibility Studies & Society

Other Resources

None