Positive Psychology and Well-Being

Recommended Prerequisites

All previous subjects and good command of the english language.

Teaching Methods

Dynamic teaching methods with theory and practice, lectures , followed by students’ group reflection, supported by learning material indicated or given by the teacher. Analysis and discussion of texts, role play and problem solving, and case studies are examples of other methods used.

Learning Outcomes

This curricular unit promotes a reflection about the conceptual and practical knowledge necessary to understand optimal human functioning. There is a focus on issues related to the lifelong personal and interpersonal development, highlighting the many facets of human behavior (from the emotional, social vocational, educational, health and organizational points of view), as well as the main  paradigms that preceded it in the counseling domain.

This curricular unit has the main following pedagogical goals:

- To understand the new epistemological paradigm of Positive Psychology.

- To know and understand the historical roots of the positive approach in Psychology and its developments.

- To articulate the concepts of mental health/illness and of well-being.

- To apply critical thinking concerning the applications of positive psychology in the educational, social and health dimensions.    

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

This curricular unit promotes a reflection about the conceptual and practical knowledge necessary to understand optimal human functioning. There is a focus on issues related to the lifelong personal and interpersonal development, highlighting the many facets of human behavior (from the emotional, social vocational, educational, health and organizational points of view), as well as the main  paradigms that preceded it in the counseling domain.

This curricular unit has the main following pedagogical goals:

- To understand the new epistemological paradigm of Positive Psychology.

- To know and understand the historical roots of the positive approach in Psychology and its developments.

- To articulate the concepts of mental health/illness and of well-being.

- To apply critical thinking concerning the applications of positive psychology in the educational, social and health dimensions.    

Head Lecturer(s)

Joaquim Armando Gomes Alves Ferreira

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Critical review of journal article or chapter: 10.0%
Frequency: 10.0%
Synthesis work: 80.0%

Bibliography

Gardner, H., Csikszentmihalyi, M, & Damon, W. (2002). Good Work: When Excellence and Ethics Meet. New York: Basic Books.

Joseph, S. (2015). Positive Psychology in Practice: Promoting Human Flourishing in Work, Health, Education, and Everyday Life. Hoboken, NJ.: John Wiley & Sons.

Lyubomirsky, S. (2019). The Road to Happiness Is Paved With a Little Gold, a Lot of Reporters, Many E-Mails, Thousands of Frequent Flyer Miles, and 604 Hours of Writing. Perspectives on Psychological Science. DOI: 10.1177/1745691618808516

Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification. Washington, D.C.: APA Press and Oxford University Press.

Seligman, M. E. P. (1990). Learned optimism: How to change your mind and your life. New York: Pocket Books.

Snyder, C. R., & Lopez, S. J. (Eds.) (2002). Handbook of positive psychology. New York: Oxford University Press.