Positive Psychology and Happiness: The Science of Well-Being

D. Positive Psychology and Happiness: The Science of Well-Being, Wendi Gardner, Associate Professor of Psychology

Psychology has traditionally focused on understanding mental illness, rather than the factors that lead to optimal mental well-being. This course will instead focus upon the questions asked within the growing science of positive psychology. Does money make us happy, and if so, when and why? How do our relationships contribute to a feeling of meaning in life? What types of situations encourage cognitive mastery and creativity? Can happiness be learned, or is our happiness “setpoint” mostly determined by genetics? How do we, as a society, encourage generosity and altruism?

Lecture Notes:  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/102pUhaHAqYSlDSq2DSoR-fsB9p0DHtcn?usp=sharing