Lesson 1: Introduction - Positive Psychology


Attention

What is Beauty? What is Happiness? Why is mental illness the focus and not mental health? Why do we see weakness before strength? Why do we forgo our own direction for others'? Despite our psychology's preordained pathological paradigm and emphasis on what is wrong, the potential for happiness does exist, and the right and privilege to feel at peace and calm are available. We may not believe that in the throes of heartache and trauma that each suffering moment may in fact be leading us to a stronger and more fulfilling experience of life. 


Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this lesson's material, students will be able to:

  • Define Positive Psychology and identify the origins of this paradigm.
  • Reconceptualize healing, illness, wellness, trauma and grasp the usefulness of positively reframing these experiences as important.
  • Identify key aspects of positive psychology, well-being, wellness, illness, and the etiology of disease (including the bio-psycho-social model).

Teaching

Begin reading the book Authentic Happiness

Positive Psychology seeks to create positive emotions, happiness, and well-being through the development of character strengths and virtues.

It is a merger of philosophy, psychology, positive thinking, and the importance of attitude.  It asks and answers the age-old questions about the good life, success, happiness and meaning.

Positive Psychology is anchored in the study of how to be happy, how to achieve success, and how to create meaning and purpose for our lives. 

Joy        Gratitude             Serenity          Interest                Hope

Pride          Amusement            Inspiration            Love          Awe

Positive mental health is a presence: the presence of positive emotion, the presence of engagement, the presence of meaning, the presence of good relationships, and the presence of accomplishment

Being in a state of mental health is not merely being disorder free; rather it is the presence of flourishing.

- From Flourish by Martin E. P. Seligman


Assessment

Lesson 1 Discussion A

Write a short biography describing who you are. Include three things about yourself from the past, three things about the present and three of your goals for your personal/professional future.

Lesson 1 Discussion B

Write a thoughtful commentary on the Tedtalk embedded in the lesson.

For full credit in the discussions you need to post ONE reply to the discussion prompt and at least TWO replies other studnets' posts...your reply should be MORE than just a "I agree!" or "Very cool!" It should be "substantive" by expanding on the students post, asking a questions, adding your own thoughts to what they have said, etc.

These instructions apply to ALL the graded discussions and will not be repeated.