About this course: This course discusses research findings in the field of positive psychology, conducted by Barbara Fredrickson and her colleagues. It also features practical applications of this science that you can put to use immediately to help you live a full and meaningful life.
Created by: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Taught by: Dr. Barbara L. Fredrickson, Kenan Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Director of the Social Psychology Doctoral Program and the Positive Emotions and Psychophysiology Laboratory, President-Elect, International Positive Psychology Association
Kenan-Flagler School of Business
| Commitment | 2-4 hours/week |
| Language | English, Subtitles: Chinese (Simplified) |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Positive Emotions: The Tiny Engines of Positive Psychology
Look “under the hood” to discover the powerful drivers of growth, well-being, and health.
4 videos, 3 readings
- Video: Emotions
- Video: Upward Spirals
- Video: Ten Positive Emotions
- Video: The Broaden-and-Build Theory
- Reading: Fredrickson (2003) American Scientist
- Reading: (Optional) Experiential Activity: Build a Positivity Portfolio
- Reading: (Optional) Scholarly References and Additional Resources
Graded: Week 1 Quiz
WEEK 2
The Mindscapes and Outcomes of Positivity
Discover the roots of flexibility, creativity, and resilience.
4 videos, 3 readings
- Video: Broadened Awareness
- Video: Built Resources
- Video: Resilience
- Video: Positivity & Entrepreneurship: An interview with Dr. Debby Stroman
- Reading: The Science of Happiness
- Reading: (Optional) Experiential Activity: Use Your Positivity Portfolio to Reverse a Downward Spiral
- Reading: (Optional) Scholarly References and Additional Resources
Graded: Week 2 Quiz
WEEK 3
The Delicate Art of Pursuing Happiness
Discover the ratios and priorities that best promote flourishing and learn common pitfalls to avoid.
3 videos, 3 readings
- Video: Positivity Ratios
- Video: Prioritizing Positivity
- Video: Positivity and Policy: An interview with Darren Coppin
- Reading: Positivity Self Test
- Reading: (Optional) Experiential Activity: Take the Positivity Self-Test Challenge
- Reading: (Optional) Scholarly References and Additional Resources
Graded: Week 3 Quiz
WEEK 4
Positivity Resonance and Loving-Kindness
Unveil the force of co-experienced positive emotions and practice this lab-tested meditation honed over millennia.
6 videos, 3 readings
- Video: What is Love?
- Video: Positivity Resonance
- Video: Loving-Kindness Introduced
- Video: Loving-Kindness Practiced
- Video: Investigating Positivity Resonance: An Interview with Brett Major
- Video: Loving-Kindness Meditation
- Reading: The One You're With
- Reading: (Optional) Experiential Activity: Practice Loving-Kindness Meditation
- Reading: (Optional) Scholarly References and Additional Resources
Graded: Week 4 Quiz
WEEK 5
The Fruits of Positivity Resonance
Learn to spot the health benefits that loving-kindness uniquely nourishes.
4 videos, 3 readings
- Video: Cardiovascular Benefits
- Video: Immune Benefits
- Video: Savoring Connections
- Video: Positivity & Wellness: An interview with Kelly Stack
- Reading: Dr. Fredrickson’s Op Ed in the New York Times (2013)
- Reading: (Optional) Experiential Activity: Reflect on Social Connections
- Reading: (Optional) Scholarly References and Additional Resources
Graded: Week 5 Quiz
WEEK 6
The Ripples of Positivity Resonance
Far beyond you and your happiness, positive psychology radiates out to benefit your relationships and community.
3 videos, 3 readings
- Video: Gratitude
- Video: A New Emotion Born
- Video: Positivity & Schools: An interview with Patrick Akos
- Reading: Dr. Fredrickson's TEDx Talk on Remaking Love
- Reading: (Optional) Experiential Activity: Take the Make a Difference Challenge
- Reading: (Optional) Scholarly References and Additional Resources
Graded: Week 6 Quiz
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
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Creators
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the nation’s first public university, is known around the world for innovative teaching and research. Regularly ranked as the nation’s best value for academic quality, UNC has produced the most Rhodes Scholars for the past 25 years among U.S. public research universities.
Pricing
| Audit | Purchase Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Not available | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Not available | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Not available | Available |
Ratings and Reviews
A must one course to do as it will help you to grow more towards positivity.
This course was so eye-opening! It contains so much knowledge and useful information but also a lot of ideas for putting them into practical every-day use! I think it can be beneficial in many different ways. It's really a good step up if you are battling depression yourself, it's a great source of information if you are trying to help or coach others and also just a great tool for improving your life, health, and level of happiness. It's so smart but made in such a simple, understandable way. So grateful to Barbara and the whole team that put this together. In my country (Croatia) there is little to no talk about positive psychology and this was a unique opportunity for me to learn more about it and I am sure it will help me with my own project based around creating more happiness in our daily lives.
Incredible course. I would recommend it to any human person who wants to experience more connection, positivity and joy in their lives. (so, you know, hopefully most people).
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Excellent! Makes you continue right away, and focus on it for the rest of of our lives.