Positive Psychology

Unlock the Secrets to a Meaningful Life: What does it take to live a happy, meaningful, and fulfilling life? While traditional psychology often focuses on diagnosing human suffering, positive psychology flips the script and explores what truly makes life worth living—love, creativity, humor, mindfulness, and more. In this course, you’ll dive into fascinating research about the ingredients for happiness and the science behind fulfilling relationships, creativity, mindfulness, and even the brain’s response to art, music, and physical activity. You’ll learn from experts, including Martin Seligman’s well-being theory, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s concept of flow, and Angela Lee Duckworth’s research on grit. But it doesn’t stop at theory—you'll put your knowledge into action by learning how to conduct ethical research and experiments with subjects like yourself, your peers, and your family.

Why Take This Course? In a collaborative, practical learning environment, you’ll design and share projects that explore what makes life meaningful, and you’ll walk away with tools and insights that will inspire and guide you for years to come. This course is perfect for anyone who wants to study psychology or who may just be curious about the science of happiness and eager to create a life of fulfillment.

Students in GOA courses will need reliable access to a computer with webcam/microphone connections, an email address (preferably school-based), a Web-conferencing app (GOA courses use Zoom), and a Word processing app (GOA courses use Google’s G Suite). When necessary, alternative arrangements may be made. Some courses require additional materials which can be found here.

NCAA-approved course

UC-approved course

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