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Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness and Well-Being
Rating: 4.4 out of 5(57 ratings)
1,152 students

Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness and Well-Being

Practical insights from psychology on happiness, meaning, and well-being
Created byBest of Psychology Academy | Psychology & Business Experts
Last updated 1/2026
English
English [Auto],

What you'll learn

  • Understand the Core Concepts and Theories of Positive Psychology
  • Evaluate Different Models of Well-Being
  • Explore the Science of Happiness and Life Satisfaction
  • Analyze the Role of Positive Emotions in Mental Health

Course content

1 section • 12 lectures • 1h 4m total length

  • What is Positive Psychology5:17

    Introduce positive psychology and trace its origins from humanistic psychology, highlight Maslow, Rogers, and Seligman, and outline core topics such as happiness, motivation, flow, creativity, and wisdom.

  • Lecture 2: Motivation5:11

    Explore how motivation shapes thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, from Maslow's hierarchy to Self-Determination Theory, comparing intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and the three SDT needs: competence, relatedness, autonomy.

  • Lecture 3: Happiness Part 15:29

    Explore how happiness fits into subjective well-being, including happiness, life satisfaction, and low neuroticism, and examine nature and nurture influences from genetics, cognition, and optimism.

  • Lecture 4: Happiness Part 25:24

    Explore how money, relationships, and meaningful work influence happiness and subjective well-being. Learn why experiential purchases, kindness, optimism, and social connections boost long-term well-being.

  • Lecture 5: Flow5:40

    Explore the flow state, its hallmarks, and how meaningful tasks, balanced challenges, and focused goals foster peak performance and long-term well-being.

  • Lecture 6: Mindfulness5:20

    Compare mindfulness approaches from Langer and Kabat-Zinn, focusing on moment awareness, non-judgmental thoughts, and acceptance. Learn practical steps—practice, reduce distractions, and savor the moment to boost mood and decision making.

  • Lecture 7: Creativity5:33

    Creativity requires original and adaptive ideas that solve real problems. Link openness to experience with higher creativity and explain little C versus big C.

  • Lecture 8: Spirituality & Religion5:11

    Explore how spirituality and religion relate to well-being, mental health, and social belonging, offering meaning and coping strategies through religious participation and spiritual practice.

  • Lecture 9: Grit4:42

    grit is a passion and perseverance trait for long-term goals, distinct from conscientiousness. evidence on grit as a predictor is mixed, with interventions boosting math performance.

  • Lecture 10: Wisdom4:24

    Explore wisdom in positive psychology through Erikson's eight stages and Sternberg's balance theory, with openness to experience as a predictor, and a seven-item scale for cultivating decisiveness, self-reflection, and prosociality.

  • Lecture 11: Gratitude6:15

    Explore gratitude as an appreciation for the good in life and learn how gratitude journals and letters boost well-being, life satisfaction, and social bonds through cognitive, emotional, and physiological benefits.

  • Lecture 12: The Future of Positive Psychology5:49

    Explore the future of positive psychology, including interdisciplinary collaboration with neuroscience, education, and economics; cultural diversity; technology-enabled interventions; and applications in education, workplaces, and clinical practice to boost well-being.

  • Course Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of Positive Psychology

Requirements

  • No previous experience required.

Description

**WELCOME TO AN INTRODUCTION TO POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY**


This course is designed to introduce you to the fascinating field of positive psychology. Whether you're new to psychology or simply curious about how to enhance well-being, this course offers a comprehensive introduction to the topic. No prior knowledge of psychology is required.

In this course, you will explore the core principles of positive psychology, a branch of psychology that focuses on the strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive. Unlike traditional psychology, which often focuses on mental illness and dysfunction, positive psychology seeks to understand what makes life most worth living.


Just some of the key topics covered include:


- **An Overview of Positive Psychology**: Understanding the history, key concepts, and the shift from a deficit-based to a strengths-based approach in psychology.


- **Key Concepts and Theories**: Exploring the foundational theories and research in positive psychology, including concepts like happiness, well-being, and life satisfaction.


- **Flow and Engagement**: Discovering the concept of flow and how being fully engaged in activities can lead to greater satisfaction and productivity.


- **Mindfulness**: An introduction to mindfulness practices and their benefits for mental health and overall well-being.


- **Gratitude**: Understanding the importance of gratitude and strong, positive relationships in cultivating a fulfilling life.


This course is brought to you by the Best of Psychology Academy, a team of experienced psychology researchers and university lecturers. We are passionate about sharing the tools and knowledge to help you lead a more positive and meaningful life. We invite you to join us on this journey on the science of well-being!


Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you in the course!


Best of Psychology Academy

Who this course is for:

  • Anyone who is curious about Positive Psychology

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