PSYC 4110

PSYC 4110

Assessment 1 Happiness and Well-Being Reflection Paper

Write a 3–5 page paper reflecting on what you learned when completing a measurement related to well-being and consider how it applies to life.

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Introduction

Positive psychology explains that a person's well-being can be described on a continuum from floundering at low levels of well-being to languishing at moderate levels of well-being, to flourishing by experiencing high levels of well-being. The goal of most psychotherapy is to help people with symptoms of floundering to move up to the less symptomatic and less painful level of languishing. The goal of positive psychology is to help people flourish, not just flounder or languish.

How are you? When asked, most people say "fine" or something similar without even thinking about it. But what if someone really asked you. How would you answer? Happiness and well-being are complex concepts that have different components to them. You might be happy about the promotion you received, but sad about the argument you had with your sister. You might be happy the week you are on vacation and a little sad when you return to your routine. Measurements, such as the Positivity Ratio Assessment and the Satisfaction With Life Scale, help you think about your well-being and happiness across different areas of your life or across time.

In this assessment, you will reflect on what you learned when completing one of these measurements and how it applies to life. You will also consider the characteristics and value of recruiting different types of sources to support your work.

Preparation

• Choose and complete one of the following activities from Section 1 of the Positive Psychology Activities media related to happiness and well-being to focus on for this assessment.
  • 1.1 Positivity Ratio Assessment.
  • 1.2 Satisfaction With Life Scale.
  • 1.3 Flourishing Scale.
• Locate one peer-reviewed journal article in the Capella University Library related to the positive psychology concept of happiness or well-being.

Instructions

Write a 3–5 page paper on happiness and well-being. Organize your paper using the following headings to ensure that you address each assessment element.

• Happiness and well-being activity (0.5–1 page).
  • Explain the positive psychology concept of happiness and/or well-being.
  • Describe the activity you completed and the results.
  • Note: Include evidence from a source for support.
• Peer-reviewed journal article (2–3 pages).
  • Summarize the peer-reviewed journal article you found.
  • Compare the findings in the peer-reviewed journal article to the information on similar concepts in your textbook.
  • Describe the characteristics of peer-reviewed journal articles compared to your textbook.
  • Describe the value of peer-reviewed journal articles and textbooks.
  • Explain how sociocultural factors may have influenced the authors of your peer-reviewed journal article.
• Conclusion (0.5–1 page).
  • Analyze the strengths of positive psychology.

Additional Requirements

Your assessment should also meet the following requirements:

• Written communication: Written communication is in professional style with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.
• Resources: Use a minimum of two sources: your textbook and one peer-reviewed journal article from the Capella library.
• APA formatting: References and citations are formatted according to APA style and formatting. Refer to Academic Writer for guidance in using the proper APA style. See the Evidence and APA section of the Writing Center for instructions on accessing and using Academic Writer.
• Length: 3–5 typed, double spaced pages.
• Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:

• Competency 1: Analyze the strengths and limitations of positive psychology.
  • Explain the positive psychology concept of happiness or well-being.
  • Describe the activity you completed and the results.
  • Analyze the strengths of positive psychology.
• Competency 2: Apply psychology information literacy.
  • Summarize the peer-reviewed journal article.
  • Compare the findings in the peer-reviewed journal article to the information in the textbook.
  • Describe the characteristics and value of peer-reviewed journal articles compared to your textbook.
• Competency 5: Predict how sociocultural and global factors influence how scientists think about behavioral and mental processes.
  • Explain how sociocultural factors influenced the authors of the peer-reviewed journal article.
• Competency 6: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for professionals in the field of psychology.
  • Use APA style paper formatting with only minor errors.
  • Use APA style formatting for citations and reference list with only minor errors.
  • Address assessment purpose in a well-organized text, incorporating appropriate evidence and tone in grammatically sound sentences.
  • Use the resources linked below to help complete this assessment.Collapse All

    Positive Psychology Activities

  • Positive Psychology Activities.
    • Complete one of the following activities in Section 1 of this media piece. You are encouraged to record your personal reflections (thoughts) and insights (things learned or relearned). These notes will help you complete the assessment.
      • 1.1 Positivity Ratio Assessment.
      • 1.2 Satisfaction With Life Scale.
      • 1.3 Flourishing Scale.

  Introduction to Positive Psychology

  Dr. Martin Seligman established the strength-based discipline of positive psychology in the late 1990s. Positive psychologists operate on the belief that individuals want to achieve more meaningful lives. Individual and societal well-being are core principles of positive psychology. The below resources and chapters provide an overview of foundational concepts in positive psychology.
  • Positive Psychology Panel Discussion.
  • Pedrotti, J. T., Lopez, S. J., McDermott, R. C., & Snyder, C. R. (2025). Positive psychology: The scientific and practical explorations of human strengths (5th ed.). Sage. Available in the courseroom via the VitalSource Bookshelf link. Watch this VitalSource video for further information.
    • Chapter 1, "Welcome to Positive Psychology."
      • This chapter provides an overview of positive psychology, moving from negative to positive, and focusing on balanced human functioning.
    • Chapter 6, "The Principles of Pleasure."
      • This chapter addresses the affective components of well-being and happiness and introduces scales used to measure elements of well-being.
    • Chapter 7, "Making the Most of Emotional Experiences."
      • This chapter focuses on the emotional experiences related to well-being.

  Culture and Perspective

  Understanding cultural differences is important to understanding one's well-being. What makes one individual happy might be something very different for another person. Individuals' cultural beliefs also influence how they view the world. The below textbook chapters discuss positive psychology dynamics across cultures and life stages.
  • Pedrotti, J. T., Lopez, S. J., McDermott, R. C., & Snyder, C. R. (2025). Positive psychology: The scientific and practical explorations of human strengths (5th ed.). Sage.
    • Chapter 2, "Eastern and Western Perspectives on Positive Psychology."
      • In this chapter, you will learn the differences between individualistic and collectivistic societies and how individuals in each perceive happiness.
    • Chapter 4, "The Role of Culture in Developing Strengths and Living Well."
      • This chapter provides a more in-depth account of the cultural effect on well-being and the importance of understanding culture in relation to the various concepts associated with positive psychology. This chapter illustrates why culture must be considered for each individual.
    • Chapter 5, "Living Well at Every Stage of Life."
      • Life stages also affect well-being. Our beliefs change as we grow older. This chapter addresses well-being across the lifespan.

  Library Research Guide

  You will need to find other resources to prepare for this assessment, and you will need to ensure that they are appropriate, credible, and valid. The PSYC-FPX4110 – Positive Psychology Library Guide can help direct your research.