The Science of Well-Being

Yale University

About this Course

3,733,477 recent views

In this course you will engage in a series of challenges designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits. As preparation for these tasks, Professor Laurie Santos reveals misconceptions about happiness, annoying features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do, and the research that can help us change. You will ultimately be prepared to successfully incorporate a specific wellness activity into your life.
THE SCIENCE OF WELL BEING WAS PRODUCED IN PART DUE TO THE GENEROUS FUNDING OF THE DAVID F. SWENSEN FUND FOR INNOVATION IN TEACHING.

Learner Career Outcomes

18%

started a new career after completing these courses

18%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Approx. 19 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Ukrainian, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Italian, Portuguese (Brazilian), Vietnamese, Korean, German, Russian, Turkish, English, Spanish, Persian

Skills you will gain

GratitudeHappinessMeditationSavoring

Learner Career Outcomes

18%

started a new career after completing these courses

18%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Approx. 19 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Ukrainian, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Italian, Portuguese (Brazilian), Vietnamese, Korean, German, Russian, Turkish, English, Spanish, Persian

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.92/5 (9,293 Ratings)

Laurie Santos
Top Instructor

Professor

Psychology

3,228,917 Learners

1 Course

Offered by

Yale University

For more than 300 years, Yale University has inspired the minds that inspire the world. Based in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale brings people and ideas together for positive impact around the globe. A research university that focuses on students and encourages learning as an essential way of life, Yale is a place for connection, creativity, and innovation among cultures and across disciplines.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating97%(302,368 ratings)

Week

Week 1

2 hours to complete

Introduction

Why take this course?

2 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 13 min), 9 readings

4 videos

Start a New Journey!36s

Become Happier by Learning & Applying Psychological Science4m

Why This Course Exists3m

What is the G.I. Joe Fallacy?4m

9 readings

Welcome Letter from Professor Santos5m

Boosting well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic10m

Course Requirements10m

Course Rewirements5m

Rewirement Tracking10m

Measure Your Happiness and Discover Your Strengths10m

Optional Pre-Course Survey10m

References & Notes10m

Ways to Learn More10m

Week

Week 2

2 hours to complete

Misconceptions About Happiness

What do we think will make us happy?

2 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 63 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz

7 videos

Savoring1m

Gratitude56s

Part 1 - Good Job7m

Part 2 - Money11m

Part 3 - Awesome Stuff, True Love, Perfect Body & Good Grades12m

Annoying Features of the Mind8m

Question & Answer21m

3 readings

Savoring & Gratitude10m

References & Notes10m

Ways to Learn More10m

1 practice exercise

Week 2 Quiz30m

Week

Week 3

2 hours to complete

Why Our Expectations are so Bad

Why do we mispredict what makes us happy?

2 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 64 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz

8 videos

Kindness44s

Social Connection46s

Annoying Feature #14m

Annoying Feature #226m

Annoying Feature #37m

Annoying Feature #413m

Annoying Features Summary1m

Question & Answer9m

3 readings

Kindness & Social Connection10m

References & Notes10m

Ways to Learn More10m

1 practice exercise

Week 3 Quiz30m

Week

Week 4

2 hours to complete

How Can We Overcome Our Biases

How we counteract our annoying features of the mind?

2 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 73 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz

7 videos

Exercise56s

Sleep56s

Part 1 - Rethink "Awesome Stuff"18m

Part 2 - Thwart Hedonic Adaptation20m

Part 3 - Reset Your Reference Points19m

Overcome Biases Summary2m

Question & Answer10m

3 readings

Exercise & Sleep10m

References & Notes10m

Ways to Learn More10m

1 practice exercise

Week 4 Quiz30m

Week

Week 5

3 hours to complete

Stuff that Really Makes Us Happy

What can we do to improve our happiness?

3 hours to complete

11 videos (Total 145 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz

11 videos

Meditation53s

Good Job21m

Good Grades18m

Kindness10m

Interview with Elizabeth Dunn15m

Social Connection12m

Interview with Nicholas Epley22m

Time Affluence6m

Mind Control18m

Healthy Practices10m

Question & Answer6m

3 readings

Meditation & Gratitude Visit10m

References & Notes10m

Ways to Learn More10m

1 practice exercise

Week 5 Quiz30m

Week

Week 6

2 hours to complete

Putting Strategies into Practice

How can we intentionally put these strategies into practice and build healthier habits?

2 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 69 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz

5 videos

Part 1 - Situation Support8m

Part 2 - Goal Setting13m

Interview with Gabriele Oettingen32m

Question & Answer11m

Recap3m

3 readings

Mystery Rewirement10m

References & Notes10m

Ways to Learn More10m

1 practice exercise

Week 6 Quiz30m

Week

Week 7

1 hour to complete

Start Your Final Rewirement Challenge

What rewirement will you commit to for the next 4 weeks?

1 hour to complete

1 video (Total 1 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz

1 video

Welcome to Your Final Rewirement Challenge1m

3 readings

Final Rewirement Challenge10m

Pro Tip2m

Handout10m

1 practice exercise

End of Week 1 Quiz30m

Week

Week 8

1 hour to complete

Continue Your Rewirement Challenge

How can you rely on others to help you change your behaviors?

1 hour to complete

1 video (Total 1 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

1 video

Welcome to Week 258s

2 readings

Pro Tip2m

Handout10m

1 practice exercise

End of Week 2 Quiz30m

Week

Week 9

1 hour to complete

Continue Your Rewirement Challenge

How can you design your environment to help you change your behaviors?

1 hour to complete

1 video (Total 1 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

1 video

Welcome to Week 349s

2 readings

Pro Tip2m

Handout10m

1 practice exercise

End of Week 3 Quiz30m

Week

Week 10

2 hours to complete

Submit Your Final Assignment

What mindset can you have to appreciate your progress so far and continue your progress beyond the course?

2 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 23 min), 6 readings, 1 quiz

4 videos

Welcome to Week 41m

Congratulations on Completing Your Challenge!1m

Students Discuss Their Rewirement Challenges19m

Conclusion1m

6 readings

Pro Tip2m

Handout10m

Measure Your Happiness10m

Contribute to Research10m

Optional Post-Course Survey10m

Teach Others10m

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, 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.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You’ll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. Learn more.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

The Science of Well-Being