Psychology of Happiness 00-FF-PYH1
The aim of the course is to present a multidimensional view of human happiness from a psychological perspective. We will discuss a psychological concept of happiness together with common myths and illusions about achieving it. We will also analyze results of studies regarding various human qualities and activities (incl. gratitude, kindness, optimism) and discuss their outcomes for understanding human happiness. Finally we will discuss how the science of happiness can be applied in various fields of psychology.
PART 1: Theoretical introduction
1. Introduction to the course (22.02.2024)
2. Origins and foundations of positive psychology (29.02.2024)
3. What is happiness? Methods to study happiness and well-being (07.03.2024)
4. What science can tell about happy people? (14.03.2024)
PART 2: Psychological interventions
5. Happiness inducing interventions. Practicing gratitude (21.03.2024)
6. Optimism (28.03.2024)
7. Avoiding worry (4.04.2024)
8. Enhancing positive emotions (11.04.2024)
9. Mindfulness and being aware (18.04.2024)
10. Practicing kindness and nurturing relationships (25.04.2024)
PART 3: Group projects
11. Project consultations – groups 1-4 (9.05.2024)
12. Project consultations – groups 5-8 (16.05.2024)
13. Projects 1-3 (23.05.2024)
14. Projects 4-6 (6.06.2024)
15. Projects 7-8, end of the classes (13.06.2024)
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Term 2023L:
The aim of the course is to present a multidimensional view of human happiness from a psychological perspective. We will discuss a psychological concept of happiness together with common myths and illusions about achieving it. We will also analyze results of studies regarding various human qualities and activities (incl. gratitude, kindness, optimism) and discuss their outcomes for understanding human happiness. Finally we will discuss how the science of happiness can be applied in various fields of psychology. PART 1: Theoretical introduction PART 2: Psychological interventions PART 3: Group projects |
Type of course
Course coordinators
Bibliography
READINGS
PART I
ON THE TOPIC OF HAPPINESS AND POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
Diener, E. & Biswas-Diener, R. (2008). Happiness. Unlocking the mysteries of psychological wealth. Malden: Blackwell Publishing
Fredrickson, B. (2009). Positivity New York, NY: Crown Publishers
Gilbert D. (2006). Stumbling on happiness. Harper Collins Publishers
Lyubomirsky, S. (2010). The how of happiness. Penguin books
Seligman, M. E. P., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: An introduction. American Psychologist, 55, 5-14.
Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Flourish. New York: Free Press
PART II
Class 5
Emmons, R. A., & Mccullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377-389.
Krejtz, I., Nezlek, J. B., Michnicka, A., Holas, P., & Rusanowska, M. (2016). Counting one’s blessings can reduce the impact of daily stress. Journal of Happiness Studies, 17(1), 25-39.
Lyubomirsky, S. (2008). The how of happiness: A scientific approach to getting the life you want. Penguin.
Seligman, M. E., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology progress: empirical validation of interventions. American Psychologist, 60(5), 410-421
Class 6
Carver, C. S., Scheier, M. F., & Segerstrom, S. C. (2010). Optimism. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(7), 879-889.
Peterson, C. (2000). The future of optimism. American Psychologist, 55(1), 44-55.
Scheier, M. F., & Carver, C. S. (1993). On the power of positive thinking: The benefits of being optimistic. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 2(1), 26-30.
Class 7
Lyubomirsky, S. (2008). The how of happiness: A scientific approach to getting the life you want. Penguin.
Seligman, M. E. (2006). Learned optimism: How to change your mind and your life. Vintage.
Lyubomirsky, S., & Tkach, C. (2003). The consequences of dysphoric rumination. In C. Papageorgiou & A. Wells (Eds.), Rumination: Nature, theory, and treatment of negative thinking in depression (pp. 21-41). Chichester, England: John Wiley & Sons
Class 8
Fredrickson, B. L. (2003). The value of positive emotions: The emerging science of positive psychology is coming to understand why it's good to feel good. American scientist, 91(4), 330-335.
Van Boven, L., & Gilovich, T. (2003). To do or to have? That is the question. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 85(6), 1193- 1202.
Isen, A. M., Daubman, K. A., & Nowicki, G. P. (1987). Positive affect facilitates creative problem solving. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52(6), 1122
Class 9
Coo, C., & Salanova, M. (2018). Mindfulness can make you happy-and-productive: A mindfulness controlled trial and its effects on happiness, work engagement and performance. Journal of Happiness Studies, 19, 1691-1711.
Kabat-Zinn, J. (2018). A Study in Happiness—Meditation, the Brain, and the Immune System. Mindfulness, 9(5), 1664-1667.
Class 10
Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1995). The need to belong: desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 497- 522
Curry, O. S., Rowland, L. A., Van Lissa, C. J., Zlotowitz, S., McAlaney, J., & Whitehouse, H. (2018). Happy to help? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of performing acts of kindness on the well-being of the actor. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 76, 320-329.
Gable, S. L., Reis, H. T., Impett, E. A., & Asher, E. R. (2018). What do you do when things go right? The intrapersonal and interpersonal benefits of sharing positive events. In Relationships, Well-Being and Behaviour (pp. 144-182). Routledge.
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Term 2023L:
READINGS Fredrickson, B. (2009). Positivity New York, NY: Crown Publishers Gilbert D. (2006). Stumbling on happiness. Harper Collins Publishers Lyubomirsky, S. (2010). The how of happiness. Penguin books Seligman, M. E. P., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: An introduction. American Psychologist, 55, 5-14. Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Flourish. New York: Free Press PART II Krejtz, I., Nezlek, J. B., Michnicka, A., Holas, P., & Rusanowska, M. (2016). Counting one’s blessings can reduce the impact of daily stress. Journal of Happiness Studies, 17(1), 25-39. Lyubomirsky, S. (2008). The how of happiness: A scientific approach to getting the life you want. Penguin. Seligman, M. E., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology progress: empirical validation of interventions. American Psychologist, 60(5), 410-421 Class 6 Peterson, C. (2000). The future of optimism. American Psychologist, 55(1), 44-55. Scheier, M. F., & Carver, C. S. (1993). On the power of positive thinking: The benefits of being optimistic. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 2(1), 26-30. Class 7 Seligman, M. E. (2006). Learned optimism: How to change your mind and your life. Vintage. Lyubomirsky, S., & Tkach, C. (2003). The consequences of dysphoric rumination. In C. Papageorgiou & A. Wells (Eds.), Rumination: Nature, theory, and treatment of negative thinking in depression (pp. 21-41). Chichester, England: John Wiley & Sons Class 8 Van Boven, L., & Gilovich, T. (2003). To do or to have? That is the question. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 85(6), 1193- 1202. Isen, A. M., Daubman, K. A., & Nowicki, G. P. (1987). Positive affect facilitates creative problem solving. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52(6), 1122 Class 9 Kabat-Zinn, J. (2018). A Study in Happiness—Meditation, the Brain, and the Immune System. Mindfulness, 9(5), 1664-1667. Class 10 Curry, O. S., Rowland, L. A., Van Lissa, C. J., Zlotowitz, S., McAlaney, J., & Whitehouse, H. (2018). Happy to help? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of performing acts of kindness on the well-being of the actor. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 76, 320-329. Gable, S. L., Reis, H. T., Impett, E. A., & Asher, E. R. (2018). What do you do when things go right? The intrapersonal and interpersonal benefits of sharing positive events. In Relationships, Well-Being and Behaviour (pp. 144-182). Routledge. |
Notes
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Term 2023L:
Student workload - 120 hours (4 ECTS) Teaching methods: lecture, practical skills training, discussion, group work, pair work, demonstrations, introspection, preparation of an implementation project, presentations |
Additional information
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