In this applied assignment, students will create a research-informed social media post or short campaign that applies positive psychology concepts at the institutional level. Students may choose one of two options: (1) a Social Media Advocacy Post or (2) an “Institutional Spotlight” Post.
Regardless of option selected, students are expected to demonstrate graduate-level critical thinking, integration of empirical research, and culturally responsive application. Posts should move beyond awareness-raising alone to clearly communicate how institutional structures, practices, or policies can promote well-being and equity for diverse populations.
Specific Procedures
Please use the following prompts and headings (or appropriate variations) to guide your work. Your submission should clearly address all required components for the option you select.
Option 1: Social Media Advocacy Post
Create a social media post or short campaign (e.g., Instagram carousel, LinkedIn post) that highlights how a positive institution (e.g., workplace, school, community organization, or policy) can promote well-being for a specific group of people. Narrowly defining the group is encouraged, as this allows for more in-depth analysis and application.
Required Components (your post should include the following elements):
- Identification of a specific group of people
- Clearly define the group (e.g., primary care providers, first responders, graduate students, immigrant communities).
- Use evidence- or research-informed sources to identify specific risks to well-being that this group faces that may not be experienced by others.
- Identification of positive institution concepts
- Ground your post in one or more positive institution concepts introduced in Module 4.
- Application of positive institution concepts
- Provide an evidence- or research-informed rationale for how specific elements of a positive institution can promote well-being for the identified group.
- Call to action
- Include an evidence- or research-informed call to action, such as increasing awareness, promoting policy or organizational change, or encouraging community or institutional engagement.
- Communication considerations
- Use inclusive and respectful language.
- Clearly communicate a well-being and/or equity-focused message appropriate for a public audience.
- Your work will look like a social media poster or social media slide show with some academic modifications (e.g., including in-text citations, references, and a bit more text); think of this assignment more like a policy brief or systems-oriented proposal presented in a social media format; one that uses appealing visuals to communicate how institutions can be designed to promote well-being.
Option 2: “Institutional Spotlight” Post
Create a social media post that highlights an existing organization, policy, or institutional practice that exemplifies positive psychology concepts and supports flourishing among people from diverse backgrounds. The post should explain why this institution is effective and how it promotes well-being at a systemic level.
Required Components (your post should include the following elements):
- Identification of an existing institution
- Clearly identify the organization, policy, or institutional practice being highlighted.
- Theoretical and empirical grounding
- Use research or evidence to demonstrate how the institution exemplifies positive institution concepts, particularly those related to positive institutions.
- Promotion of well-being across diversity
- Use research or evidence to explain how elements of the positive institution promote well-being for people from multiple and diverse backgrounds.
- Recommendations for growth or improvement
- Provide evidence- or research-informed recommendations for how the institution could further enhance equity, inclusion, or well-being.
- Communication considerations
- Use inclusive and respectful language.
- Clearly communicate a well-being and/or equity-focused message suitable for a broad audience.
- Your work will look like a social media poster or social media slide show with some academic modifications (e.g., including in-text citations, references, and a bit more text); think of this assignment more like a policy brief or systems-oriented proposal presented in a social media format; one that uses appealing visuals to communicate how institutions can be designed to promote well-being.
Additional Requirements
- Include at least 5 academic references, integrating course readings (likely from Module 3 and 4) and additional peer-reviewed sources.
- While APA 7th formatting within the social media post is not required given the nature of a social media post, APA 7th formatted in-text citations and references are required
- Maintain a professional, clear, and accessible tone appropriate for social media while reflecting graduate-level scholarship.
- All submissions should demonstrate thoughtful organization, clarity of message, and appropriate writing mechanics.
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