Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman—renowned worldwide as the “father of Positive Psychology”—has led visionary leaps in the scientific research, empirical data and personal understandings of human flourishing. This course explores the past, present and future of positive psychology as a journey through the key scientific leaps led by Dr. Seligman and his colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania's Positive Psychology Center and Master of Applied Positive Psychology program. There are no prerequisites.
This course is part of the Foundations of Positive Psychology Specialization
Positive Psychology: Martin E. P. Seligman’s Visionary Science
Offered By
About this Course
70,868 recent views
What you will learn
Describe why mind and body flourish together
Discuss inspiring new developments in the field of Positive Psychology
Explain how skills of well-being can be learned and taught
Understand the scientific foundations of Positive Psychology
Skills you will gain
Character Strengths And VirtuesGratitudePositive EducationPositive Psychology
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
15 hours to complete
Positive Psychology Introduction by Dr. Martin Seligman
In this module, Dr. Martin Seligman introduces the scientific foundations of positive psychology and key research findings that led to a revolutionary understanding of what makes people flourish. Participants will learn about research-based skills and exercises to increase well-being and begin to practice these skills in their own lives.
10 videos (Total 62 min), 5 readings, 3 quizzes
10 videos
Module 1 Introduction1m
Positive Psychology: Toward a Balanced, Empirical Understanding of Well-being7m
What Do We Mean by the "Positive" in Positive Psychology?6m
Seeds of Flourishing: The Personal in Parallel with a Developing New Field7m
How Do People Explain Bad Events? Risk Factors and Protective Factors for Depression5m
Health is a Skill: Learned Optimism6m
Laying the Foundation: Defining, Measuring, and Testing Happiness and Flourishing8m
Building Blocks: PERMA: Defining Wellbeing12m
Try This At Home: Building the Skill of Gratitude. Suggested Exercise: What Went Well?3m
5 readings
Dr. Martin Seligman Biography5m
Key Point: Learned Helplessness3m
Key Point: Optimism can be learned
PERMA Overview15m
Which Character Strengths Are Most Predictive of Well-Being?10m
2 practice exercises
Try This At Home: What Went Well10m
Module 120m
Week
23 hours to complete
The Skills of Well-being Can Be Learned, Taught, and Transformative
In this module, Dr. Martin Seligman shares the great leaps in scientific understanding that created the foundation for a science of well-being at individual, communal, and global levels.
13 videos (Total 80 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes
13 videos
Building Skills to Flourish7m
Positive Interventions: Testing What Works2m
Stage 1: Teaching Skills for Wellbeing Proactively Can Prevent Anxiety and Depression in Children8m
Stage 2: The Leap from Research to Policy in the United Kingdom3m
Stage 3: The Science of Grit and a New Understanding: How to Foster Flourishing in Schools3m
Stage 4: Transcending Curriculum to Transform Culture in Schools7m
Stage 5: From Whole Schools to Whole Communities4m
Stage 6: Whole Force Resilience11m
Positive Education: Teaching Academic Success and Well-Being9m
Positive Education: Taking It to Scale9m
Positive Education: Replicating Success Worldwide7m
Try This At Home: Building Positive Relationships Through Active Constructive Responding4m
2 readings
Review of Flourish by Richard Layard15m
Well-being and Public Policy15m
2 practice exercises
Try This At Home: ACR10m
Module 220m
Week
35 hours to complete
Being Whole: Mind/Body Flourishing Throughout Life
In this module, Dr. Martin Seligman shares key research questions from the field of Positive Psychology, and the answers turn some conventional assumptions on their head. Are we shaped by the future vs. the past? And what does science tell us about mind/body flourishing? What gets better as we age?
10 videos (Total 68 min), 7 readings, 2 quizzes
10 videos
Drawn By the Future: A Revolution in Psychology9m
Drawn By the Future: A Revolution in Psychology Part 26m
Drawn By the Future: The Science of Prospection8m
Positive Health: Mind and Body Flourish Together6m
New Directions in Mental and Physical Health8m
Positive Aging: Creativity and Strengths Throughout Life4m
Creativity and Imagination10m
Creativity and Imagination Part 28m
Try This At Home: Know and Grow Your Strengths3m
7 readings
Watch This Video: Can You Believe Your Eyes?2m
Homo Prospectus Review10m
More about the Selective Attention Test20m
Optimistic Minds and Healthy Hearts20m
The Creative Life and Well-Being20m
What Are Your Signature Strengths vs. What's Your Type?20m
Share Your Strengths10m
2 practice exercises
Know and Grow Your Strengths10m
Module 3 Quiz20m
Week
43 hours to complete
Future Directions in Positive Psychology
In this module, Dr. Martin Seligman discusses some of the most inspiring recent and future developments in the field of Positive Psychology, in particular those that transcend individual experience and have the potential to transform our world.
10 videos (Total 91 min), 4 readings, 2 quizzes
10 videos
The Future of Positive Psychology: Key Topics3m
Constructive Journalism22m
Constructive Journalism - some Q&A with Cathrine Gyldensted15m
Positive Psychology and Spiritual Experience7m
Positive Psychology and Spiritual Experience Part 26m
World Well-Being and Big Data10m
World Well-Being and Big Data Part 217m
Try This at Home: Fun Vs. Philanthropy3m
Drawn by the Vision of a Flourishing Future3m
4 readings
Learn More about Constructive Journalism15m
Truly Awe-some Science15m
What Your Tweets Say about You and Your World18m
Participate in the World Well-Being Project (optional)10m
2 practice exercises
Try This At Home: Fun vs. Philanthropy10m
Module 420m
4.8
747 Reviews64%
started a new career after completing these courses
46%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
Top reviews from Positive Psychology: Martin E. P. Seligman’s Visionary Science
Very self-enhancing. Activities are fun and at the same time a good avenue for learning experiences. Very positive and student engaging. Thank you for giving me the chance to be part of this course =)
Glad to learn lot of experimental positive psychology tools to use in day to day life and helped to practice positive psychology coaching through this course. Thank you Coursera for this opportunity.
Instructor
Martin E.P. Seligman, Ph.D.
Zellerbach Family Professor of Psychology & Director, Positive Psychology CenterPositive Psychology Center
About University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania (commonly referred to as Penn) is a private university, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. A member of the Ivy League, Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, and considers itself to be the first university in the United States with both undergraduate and graduate studies.
About the Foundations of Positive Psychology Specialization
The University of Pennsylvania and Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman welcome you to Foundations of Positive Psychology. Our five-course specialization provides you with the key theories and research in the field of positive psychology as well as opportunities for application.
Course topics include
• Positive Psychology: Martin E.P. Seligman’s Visionary Science with Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman
• Positive Psychology: Applications and Interventions with Dr. James Pawelski
• Positive Psychology: Character, Grit and Research Methods with Dr. Angela Duckworth & Dr. Claire Robertson-Kraft
• Positive Psychology: Resilience Skills with Dr. Karen Reivich
• Positive Psychology Specialization Project with Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
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