MCCCD Program Description

Positive Psychology

Course: PSY262

First Term: 2011 Summer I

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S

Description: Overview and application of psychological principles based on strengths and resilience of human beings as opposed to dysfunction and symptoms of mental disorders. Topics include happiness, relationships, resilience, optimism, well-being, and brain research explaining positive emotions.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe the history and foundations of Positive Psychology. (I) 2. Explain the research methods, theory, and measurement tools used in the field of Positive Psychology. (I, IV) 3. Explain how Positive Psychology differs from other major theoretical models in the conceptualization and treatment of mental health disorders. (II, III) 4. Describe the importance of maximizing character strengths and virtues in developing protective factors and decreasing vulnerabilities to mental health disorders. (II, IV, VIII) 5. Summarize and describe core concepts of Positive Psychology such as learned helplessness, resiliency, optimism and post-traumatic growth. (IV) 6. Describe and explain the major characteristics of mindfulness and its role in well-being. (IV) 7. Explain the importance of relationships in terms of decreasing isolation and depression and enhancing well being and connection with others. (IV, V) 8. Identify and explain the biological and psychological influences and correlates of happiness and well-being, including the role of positive emotions, meaning and purpose, and coping strategies play in creating a sense of happiness and well-being. (IV, VII) 9. Identify specific interventions and strategies that can be used to increase one`s subjective well-being. (IV, IX) 10. Define and explain the characteristics of emotional intelligence and its role in well-being. (VI) 11. Differentiate the various roles institutions play in increasing an individual`s level of motivation, creativity, and self-efficacy. (X) 12. Identify future directions of psychological research and application in the field of Positive Psychology. (XI)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Positive Psychology: Definition A. History and Foundations of Positive Psychology B. Research Methods in Positive Psychology and well-being II. Operationalizing Positive Psychology Concepts III. Theoretical comparisons of Positive Psychology and traditional models IV. Happiness and subjective well-being A. Causes and predictors B. Measurement techniques and instruments C. Necessary factors in the creation of subjective well-being 1. Mindfulness a. Definitions b. Key Features 2. Meaning and Purpose 3. Optimism 4. Resilience, protective factors, and learned helplessness V. Relationships and Connection A. Research supporting the importance of relationships and connections B. Social factors and techniques to increase connections, decrease isolation VI. Emotional Intelligence A. Definitions B. Key features VII. Positive / Negative Emotions A. Affectivity B. Biological findings VIII. Character Strengths and Virtues A. Identification and application B. Assessment IX. Positive Interventions A. Research support B. Affective C. Cognitive D. Behavioral X. Positive Institutions A. Families and Parenting B. Marital C. Workplace D. Organizational XI. Research directions in the field of Positive Psychology

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 3/22/2011

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.