Reference no: EM133878377

Assignment:

Presentation on the contribution of positive psychology to an applied area

In this presentation, should identify an area of interest in positive psychology, and critically evaluate the literature in that area. should discuss how positive psychology contributes something different to our understanding of the human experience in comparison to traditional approaches that focus on deficits. This should be related to a particular applied context (e.g., work, study, health, ageing, forensic and clinical settings etc).

The main body of the presentation should contain an introduction to the applied field outlining what it is? What are the traditional approaches in this field? For example, if discussing ageing, could talk about how traditional psychology has focussed on the negative aspects of ageing (e.g., decline in abilities; mental health difficulties associated with decline etc). Remember that in order to have a convincing introduction, should find relevant references for the introduction too.

Should then bring in positive psychology research and theories:

What positive psychology theories have been utilised in this field, and what have they contributed to our knowledge?

What research has been done?

What kinds of methods/findings? For instance, in the example of ageing, you could discuss ideas from the strengths-based approach to ageing, or talk about what research on happiness (e.g., eudaemonic and hedonic) has demonstrated regarding positive ageing. In order to remain within the word count of the script, you are unlikely to be able to include ALL the positive psychology ideas that have been applied in that field. Choose the ones that you can find most support/research for and which enable you to offer a critical insight into the topic area any critique for the theories and research in this area? For example, can there be any negative aspects to positive psychology of ageing?

For example, has the research considered differences in collectivist and individualistic cultural contexts? Or is it fair to use the concept of grit in elderly populations living in poverty? Whatever points of critique you include, remember to use references to back it up, and make it relevant to applying positive psychology in your specific chosen field!