Applications of Positive Psychology

This subject is not offered in 2013.

240 hours

Attendance at all classes (tutorial/seminars/practical classes/lectures/labs/online classes) is obligatory. Failure to attend 80% of classes will normally result in failure in the subject.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject will examine the full range of positive interventions that can be delivered to individuals, groups and communities using face to face, on-line, coaching/counselling, smartphone applications and group formats. Information about multi-level assessments measuring affective, cognitive, behavioural and physiological aspects of well-being will be presented for discussion. Standards for conducting positive interventions will be identified and critiqued and criteria for evaluating the efficacy and effectiveness of positive interventions will be presented for critical review. Ethical issues associated with researching and applying positive interventions will be discussed using standards and guidelines from various disciplines. Issues related to fostering innovation whilst maintaining evidence-based practice will be raised and potential strategies for complying with both these important objectives will be formulated.

Students will:

• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the range of positive interventions and programs available for a variety of common contexts.
• Demonstrate applied knowledge in identifying and selecting appropriate interventions for individuals, groups and communities.
• Select and develop comprehensive and relevant measurement approaches which will provide information about program efficacy and effectiveness.
• Practice using a variety of positive psychology interventions through assessment tasks.
• Apply gold standard criteria for determining the strength of the evidence-base associated with various positive interventions.
• Demonstrate a good understanding of ethical issues associated with the delivery of positive interventions for research and professional practice.

There are three assessment tasks:

• 3,000-word critical review of a positive intervention, due 1/3 of the way into semester (30%)
• 5,000-word development and review of a personal positive intervention/program, due 2/3 of the way into semester (50%)
• A 20-minute group presentation (3 students per group) of a positive intervention application (plus 1,000 word review of presentation per student) due end of semester (20%)

Parks-Sheiner, A. (Ed.) (in press). The Handbook of Positive Psychological Interventions. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Critical thinking will be fostered through reviewing the strengths and limitations of empirical studies using positive interventions.
• Creative thinking will be promoted by encouraging innovative assessment methods which draw on knowledge gained from other disciplines and from best practice approaches.
• Written and oral communication skills will be developed through subject assessment.
• Team work and collaborative skills will be engaged through the group presentation assessment.