Psychology Question

Psychology Question

Write a 7–9 page paper applying concepts from positive psychology to a particular environment, assessing the strengths and limitations of that application, and citing research to support that application.

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Introduction

Home, school, and work are places where we all spend a significant amount of time, and, as such, they have the potential to have a positive or a negative impact on our happiness and sense of well-being. For this assessment, you will choose a particular setting and explain how positive psychology principles and concepts can be applied to that setting in order to improve it.

Preparation

• Step 1: Choose a setting to focus on for this assessment.
  • Character strengths in the workplace.
  • Positive workplaces.
  • Character strengths and mental health.
  • Primary prevention and enhancement in mental health.
  • Family-centered positive psychology.
  • Character strengths in positive education.
  • Positive schools.
  • Character strengths and health and wellness.
• Step 2: Use the Capella University Library to find peer-reviewed journal articles. If you aren't familiar with the library, the Bachelor's in Psychology Library Research Guide: Finding Articles page is a great place to start your search. You are required to use a minimum of seven sources: your textbook, the Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classificationebook, and five peer-reviewed journal articles from the Capella library. You may use the resources from the Positive Psychology Peer-Reviewed Articlesreading list for three of the five peer-reviewed journal articles, if they are applicable to your topic.

Instructions

Organize your 7–9 page paper using the following headings to ensure you address each element of the assessment.

• Introduction (0.5 page).
  • Introduce the key concepts.
    • Describe the institutional setting you've chosen.
    • Describe the positive psychology concepts you will focus on.
    • Note: Include evidence from a source for support.
• Positive Psychology (1 page).
  • Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of applying positive psychology to an institution.
    • Explain how the strengths of positive psychology make it appropriate to apply to the institution you've chosen.
    • Explain the weaknesses in applying positive psychology to the institution you've chosen.
    • Note: Include evidence from a source for support.
• Research (2–3 pages).
  • Synthesize the research you found regarding positive psychology and your institutional setting. This synthesis should result in a minimum of two themes that you've identified. If unsure, use Campus resource Developing Synthesis.
    • Include an explanation of future directions for research.
  • Predict how sociocultural and global factors influence how scientists think about behavioral and mental processes.
    • Explain how sociocultural factors influence how scientists think about behavioral and mental processes within positive psychology.
    • Explain how global factors influence how scientists think about behavioral and mental processes within positive psychology.
    • Predict how sociocultural and global factors will influence future research.
• Positive-psychology strategy (2–3 pages).
  • Develop psychology-based strategies to facilitate social change to diminish discriminatory practices.
    • Explain the positive psychology strategy or strategies you'll use in your chosen institution.
    • Explain how this strategy will facilitate social change.
    • Explain how this strategy will diminish discriminatory practices.
  • Explain a strategy for helping people enhance resilience and maintain skills in response to rapid social change and related changes in the job market.
    • Explain how this strategy can help people be more resilient in response to rapid social change.
    • Explain how this strategy will help people maintain skills in response to changes in the job market.
• Self-Reflection and Conclusion (1 page).
  • Develop strategies to enhance resilience and maintain skills in response to rapid social change and related changes in the job market.
    • Explain how you will use this strategy to enhance your resilience in response to rapid social change and related changes in the job market.
    • Explain how you will use this strategy to maintain your skills in response to rapid social change and related changes in the job market.

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 seven sources: your textbook, the Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification ebook, and five peer-reviewed journal articles from the Capella library. You may use resources from the Positive Psychology Peer-Reviewed Articles reading list for three of the five peer-reviewed journal articles, if applicable.
• APA formatting: References and citations are formatted according to APA style and formatting. Refer to Evidence and APA and Academic Writer for guidance in using proper APA style.
• Length: 7–9 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.
  • Introduce the key concepts.
  • Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of applying positive psychology to an institution.
• Competency 2: Apply psychology information literacy.
  • Synthesize research about positive psychology and an institutional setting.
• Competency 3: Develop positive psychology-based strategies to facilitate social changes, which diminish discriminatory practices.
  • Develop psychology-based strategies to facilitate social change to diminish discriminatory practices.
• Competency 4: Develop strategies to enhance resilience and skills in response to rapid changes in society and the job market.
  • Explain how a strategy helps people enhance resilience or maintain skills in response to rapid social change and related changes in the job market.
  • Develop strategies to enhance resilience and maintain skills in response to rapid social change and related changes in the job market
  • Competency 5: Predict how sociocultural and global factors influence how scientists think about behavioral and mental processes.
    • Predict how sociocultural and global factors influence how scientists think about behavioral and mental processes.
  • Competency 6: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for professionals in the field of psychology.
    • Use APA style formatting for citations and reference list with only minor errors.
    • Use APA style paper formatting 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

    Preventing and Enhancing

    Traditionally, mental health has been a misnomer for mental illness, and the efforts at treating serious mental illness and psychopathology have a long and modestly successful history. Prevention of mental illness has been shown to be not only possible but very effective when done from the perspective of evidence-based strategies. Positive psychology goes one step further by researching the effectiveness of applications and strategies designed to enhance mental well-being and achieve a state of flourishing. The below reading explores these topics further.
    • 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 13, “Preventing the Bad and Promoting the Good.”
        • This chapter explores strategies for preventing mental illness and for enhancing well-being.

    Applying Positive Psychology in Different Environments

    Goals involve a commitment. Individuals set goals in their lives to gain fulfillment. As we work to meet those goals, challenges are often presented. Research indicates that goal attainment leads to high life satisfaction, while the pain of failure is often short lived (Ben-Shahar, 2007). In the following readings, you will learn how changes over time in education and the workplace have an impact on one's well-being. You will learn how one's beliefs impact their experiences in the school and work settings.
    • 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 14, “Positive Schooling and Good Work."
    • Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment.
      • Chapter 6, "Happiness in Education."
      • Chapter 7, “Happiness in the Workplace.”

    Reference

    Ben-Shahar. T. (2007). Happier: Learn the secrets to daily joy and lasting fulfillment. McGraw-Hill.

    Positive Psychology Peer-Reviewed Articles

    • Positive Psychology Peer-Reviewed Articles reading list.
      • Please read the following to learn more about such topics as goals, resilience, and positive psychology interventions:
        • "Understanding Psychological Flexibility: A Multimethod Exploration of Pursuing Valued Goals Despite the Presence of Distress."
        • "A Narrative Review of Peer-Led Positive Psychology Interventions: Current Evidence, Potential, and Future Directions."
        • "The Role of Personal, Professional, and Psychological Factors in Therapists' Resilience."
        • "Building Positive Organizations: A Typology of Positive Psychology Interventions."
        • "Positive Psychology Interventions in Organizations."

    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.