Since World War II, psychology has mainly focused its efforts on psychological problems and how to remedy them. These efforts have reaped large dividends. We now have a much better understanding of psychological disorders and how to treat them. One consequence of this focus on psychological problems, however, is that psychology has little to say about what makes life most worth living. Positive psychology proposes to correct this imbalance. It is a movement that focuses on strengths as well as weaknesses, on building the best things in life as well as repairing the worst. The main focus of the field and of this minor is on human well-being, resulting in an applied approach to enhance flourishing of individuals, organisations and communities.

The Positive Psychology minor includes lectures, research and training that will be relevant to the personal and professional lives of the students. The minor is likely to have a truly transformative effect on those who participate. So... are you up for it?

1 - Summarise the main scientific research results of positive psychology
This minor will present a wide range of areas in which positive psychology has been researched. You will thus gain a solid base of knowledge that you can use throughout this minor.

2 - Apply research results of Positive Psychology in selected settings
You will learn to apply the findings of positive psychological research in personal and professional settings. You are also encouraged to apply positive psychology in daily life, implement your knowledge to increase wellbeing and monitor the effects on your own wellbeing.

 3 - Develop and implement an intervention for a (group of) citizen(s) of Amsterdam
In the second half of the minor, you are asked to develop and execute a positive psychology intervention for people in Amsterdam or somewhere else around the world, based on insights from positive psychology, to enhance the lives of people.

We have 5 places available for Kiesopmaat students. There are no admission requirements, but there are two things that should be kept in mind:

1. the level of English (see above)

2. if you don't know much about psychology (yet), please make sure you read into the matter. See above for suggested reading material

3. in case you are a student of the Applied Psychology Programme, you need permission of the examination board of your own programme in order to participate.

Boniwell, I. & Tunariu, A.,D. (2019). Positive Psychology; theory, research and applications. Open University Press, London. ISBN: 978033526182.

Williams, M.  & Penman, D. (2011). Mindfulness: A practical guide to finding peace in a frantic world. Piatkus, London. ISBN: 9780749953089.

In addition, we will use several online articles (open source).

Suggested reading for (international) students who don't study Applied Psychology:

Zimbardo, P. G., Johnson, R., & McCann, V. (2014). Psychology: core concepts (new international, 7th ed.). Pearson UK.

The schedule is quite busy: there are classes three or four out of five days a week, most weeks.

At least one day a week will be your study day (no classes will be given).

An 8-week mindfulness training will be part of the minor (mandatory).

Contact hours: ​4 out of 5 days a week

Contacttime:
Three (sometimes four) out of five days a week.

Applied positive psychology: 10 ECTS (personal assignments and portfolio presentation)

Positive psychology theory: 10 ECTS (one exam)

Positive Psychology Intervention: 10 ECTS (designing and executing an intervention to let people flourish (based on written report and individual input)

30 ECTS in total

For every exam there is one resit possible. If you fail one exam two times during the Minor, you can participate in the Minor a year later, in the same semester.

If a student fails to successfully complete the minor in the period in which she took the minor it is possible to finalize the minor in a following period in which the minor is given.

If a minor is no longer offered or in case the minor is rewritten, the degree programme will offer students a further two opportunities to finalize this minor in the following year.

Questions about the minor?
Contact Hanneke Goosen: j.g.goosen@hva.nl

Questions about the Kies op Maat procedure?
Contact Liesbeth Steenbeek, e.c.e.steenbeek@hva.nl

Costs: ​​There will be some excursions (eg to the Rijksmuseum or to a vegan restaurant for mindful eating) and occasionally we will have a drink together. We expect the total costs to be no more then €60,- for these 'extra' activities.

Want to know more about positive psychology? Watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qJvS8v0TTI

Note: We have 5 places available for Kiesopmaat students.

Applications will be processed in the order of receipt of signed learning agreements.