Positive Psychology Specialization Project: Design Your Life for Well-being

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/positive-psychology-project

Introduction

### Course Review: Positive Psychology Specialization Project: Design Your Life for Well-being #### Overview If you're looking to cultivate greater well-being, the **Positive Psychology Specialization Project: Design Your Life for Well-being** on Coursera, led by esteemed psychologist Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman, deserves your attention. This hands-on course is designed to apply the foundational concepts of positive psychology, equipping you with practical skills to enhance your life and the lives of others. Before embarking on this capstone project, it's highly recommended that you complete the first four courses of the Foundations of Positive Psychology Specialization. This preparation lays the groundwork for effectively utilizing the tools and theories you will encounter in this course. #### Course Content and Structure The course is structured into four engaging modules, each focusing on different elements of positive psychology that drive both personal and communal well-being. 1. **Character Strengths: One Concept to Rule them All** - In this module, learners explore the **VIA Character Strengths Classification**, focusing on identifying their five signature strengths. This self-assessment not only fosters self-awareness but also encourages individuals to evaluate the authenticity of their strengths, serving as a foundation for subsequent modules. 2. **Peterson’s Theory on Psychological Mental Illness** - Here, you'll delve into Chris Peterson's innovative theory that redefines mental illness. Instead of merely focusing on symptomatology, this module posits that mental health issues may stem from an excess, absence, or opposite of character strengths. This perspective challenges traditional views and prepares students to see mental wellness through a more strength-oriented lens. 3. **Developing a Positive Intervention** - In this crucial module, students are tasked with selecting an area to improve from a set of 72 character strengths outlined by Peterson. You will craft a personal positive intervention based on your signature strengths. This exercise not only cultivates creative problem-solving skills but also instills a sense of agency as you design a unique path toward well-being. 4. **Putting the Positive Intervention into Action** - The final module is where theory transforms into practice. Students implement their interventions, measure the outcomes, and share their results. Documenting this experience encapsulates the learning journey and contributes to the broader community by sharing strategies that others may find useful. #### Personal Insights What makes this course exceptional is its emphasis on action and reflection. Dr. Seligman's approach is grounded in scientific research yet remains accessible and applicable to everyday life. The interactive nature of the course encourages participants to not only learn about positive psychology but also to embody its principles, making it a truly transformative experience. Additionally, the opportunity to collaborate with fellow learners and exchange feedback adds immense value. Engaging in discussions based on personal experiences with character strengths and interventions can lead to deeper insights and community support. #### Who Should Take This Course? **Design Your Life for Well-being** is perfect for anyone interested in personal development, mental health, education, coaching, or counseling. It also appeals to those wishing to create positive change in their communities or enhance their professional skills in organizational psychology and wellness programs. #### Recommendation I wholeheartedly recommend the **Positive Psychology Specialization Project: Design Your Life for Well-being** to anyone who seeks to deepen their understanding of positive psychology while implementing practical strategies for personal and societal well-being. This course is an invaluable resource that empowers you to take steps towards a more fulfilling life, and it offers the tools to uplift others as well. By investing your time in this course, you are not merely studying the principles of positive psychology; you are actively participating in designing a life imbued with meaning, resilience, and a greater connection to your authentic self and the community around you.

Syllabus

Character Strengths: One Concept to Rule them All

Module 1 of the Positive Psychology Capstone reviews the VIA Character Strengths Classification and in particular asks the learner to identify his or her five signature strengths and assess if they are authentic.

Module 2 presents Chris Peterson's unfinished theory on mental illness. Specifically his belief that the absence of strengths, the excess of strengths, and the opposite of strengths might define 72 conditions of character weakness, and that these shortcomings might be a better framework than the DSM which uses a checklist of symptoms.

Module 3 has the learner target an area for remediation from among Peterson's inventory of 72 deviant strengths and craft a positive intervention using a signature strength.

Module 4 has the learner put the positive intervention into action, assess and the share the results, and finally reduce the positive intervention to writing so it can be shared.