Minor Applied Positive Psychology
By Isabelle Delariviere InGroningen
The Netherlands
MINOR APPLIED POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
In this international minor we will look at the scientific knowledge on happiness and wellbeing and at the factors that lead to a sense of wellbeing, meaning and connection. Based on this knowledge we will look further into and develop interventions that can help individuals, organizations, communities and society at large to flourish.
When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down “happy”. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life’
JOHN LENNON
When being asked the question what do you want most out of life, people from all over the world answer: to be happy! But despite decades of economic growth we are no happier now than sixty years ago. What is happiness and do we really know what makes us happy? Do we give happiness enough priority? Can we influence our own happiness and the happiness of others and how? These (and more) questions are being asked and answered by positive psychologists all over the world and will be addressed in the minor Applied Positive Psychology.
What is Positive Psychology?
Positive Psychology is the scientific study of wellbeing and human flourishing. This new branch on the psychology tree was founded in 2000 by Martin Seligman and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. They were not happy about traditional psychology’s emphasis on what is wrong and on weaknesses. Psychology should also look at what is right and at strengths of people. Since then psychologists all over the world started to study happiness, wellbeing and the good life. According to Seligman we can indeed influence our own happiness by changing our actions and by making the right choices. We can flourish individually and together through experiencing positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning and accomplishment (PERMA model of wellbeing, 2011).
Is Applied Positive Psychology a minor for you?
Are you interested in psychology in general and in focussing on solutions and human strengths? Are you interested in why we do the things we do and in how we can change our thoughts and behaviour to become happier? Are you interested in helping people, organizations and communities to flourish and become their ‘best possible self’? Are you interested in studying in a multi-cultural community, then you will like this minor!!
Do you want to know more about this exchange programme?
Annemiek Sinnema, coördinator minor Applied Positive Psychology (School of Social Studies) E-mail: a.t.sinnema@pl.hanze.nl
More info can be found on the website and flyer:
Website Minor Applied Positive Psychology flyer