PY0536 - Positive Psychology

On this module you will learn through a combination of lectures, in-class activities and tutorials, along with independent study.

You will attend a series of two-hour interactive lectures to learn about the core issues related to positive psychology interventions. The aim of the interactive activities is to encourage deep learning, introduce new material and consolidate information learnt through lectures and independent reading. You will conduct practical tasks and analyse techniques for evaluating positive psychology interventions to illustrate principles and methods. This will give you the opportunity to relate theory to practice and will also provide you with experience of different research techniques and the opportunity for group discussion. Ethical issues will be discussed and you will be expected to communicate your ideas and findings in a group setting, showing sensitivity to the perspectives of others. Effective oral and visual communication skills will be developed through interactive tasks.

Directed study will be encouraged through the provision of reading lists, which will serve as a basis for further, independent study. This will be further encouraged through the provision of study questions and topics. Independent learning skills and reflection on the role and value of those skills will prepare you for career development learning.

Together, the learning strategies of interactive lectures, directed, and independent study aim to develop conceptual knowledge of the topic area and illustrate the range of paradigms and methods that can be used to investigate it. Tutorials will provide an opportunity for you to discuss issues related to the module with a member of staff.

Module tutors will support you by making a variety of resources linked to the lectures series, workshops and assessments available on the e-learning portal (e.g. powerpoint slides, lecture handouts, reading lists), along with links to websites to encourage further exploration of positive psychology. A discussion board on the e-learning portal will be available for students to pose and respond to questions among peers and to module tutors. This enhances collegiality and also means that support is available to all students. Technology enabled learning will be implemented through the use of Panopto lecture recording.

Tutorials can provide an opportunity for students to discuss issues related to the module with a member of staff.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
• Recognise the applications of positive psychology in the context of clinical psychology (KF1)
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• Build employability through the development of skills, that can be applied in a range of enviroments; i) effective communication skills; ii) effective teamwork; iii) wider computer literacy; v) problem solving skills; vi) sourcing and organising information (IP3)
• You will take charge of your own career development learning, through critical self-evaluation and reflection on the relevance of the module for career enhancement and future learning. (MIP2)

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• Demonstrate effective written, oral, and visual communication skills, with the ability to adapt style to suit a range of audiences (PV2)

Formative assessment:
Self-assessed formative assessment is provided through the use of group presentations in class
KF1

Summative assessment:
The first assignment on this module will be one written piece of work (3000 words), in which you will be required to demonstrate your knowledge of research in positive psychology, and your ability to critically evaluate literature. This will be worth 90% of the module mark.

The second assessment is a self-reflective account in which you will be asked to consider how this module has impacted on your employability and future career (MIP2). This will be worth 10% of the module mark (500 words).

Feedback
Feedback is provided via written comments on assignments and general feedback provided on the e-learning portal. Cohort mean, standard deviation and distribtuions of marks for the assignments are provided so you can compare your performance with that of your cohort. You will be required to arrange a tutorial with your personal guidance tutor for formal feedback on your reflection.

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Though lectures and interactive activities, this module examines the field of positive psychology, and explores how experts within the area use scientific methods to investigate and promote individual well-being in a sustainable way. The main emphasis of the module is on how well-being may be increased through positive psychology interventions. You will have the opportunity to examine models within the field, measures of well-being, and try out and discuss some scientifically validated positive psychology interventions, both inside and outside the classroom. Examples of interventions that will be studied include: identifying and using character strengths, expressing gratitude, humour and laughter, mindfulness, and acts of kindness. You will be able to explore how positive psychology is studied and applied by engaging in group discussions and listening to audio/visual materials.. Students who have taken the time to try out the positive psychology interventions for themselves have commented that this module has helped them on a personal as well as an academic level.