Positive Psychology Applied to Institutions

Assessment 4 Instructions:

Positive Psychology Applied to
Institutions
Write a 4–6 page paper applying concepts from positive psychology to a
particular environment, assessing the strengths and limitations of that
application, and citing research to support that application.
Introduction
Note: You are encouraged to complete the assessments in this course in the
sequence in which they are presented. It is best to complete Assessment 1 first.
Assessment 1 will help to prepare you for the other assessments. It is best to
complete Assessment 4 last since it is the most complex of the four
assessments.
Home, school, and work are places where we all spend a significant amount of
time, and as such, they have the potential to have a positive or a negative impact
on our happiness and sense of well–being. For this assessment, you will choose
a particular setting and explain how positive psychology principles and concepts
can be applied to that setting in order to improve it.
Note: You are encouraged to complete the assessments in this course in the
sequence in which they are presented. It is best to complete Assessment 1 first.
Assessment 1 will help to prepare you for the other assessments. It is best to
complete Assessment 4 last since it is the most complex of the four
assessments.
Preparation
For this assessment, you apply principles of positive psychology to a setting of
your choice. It is helpful to choose a setting for which you have a personal or
professional interest. Your interest will strengthen the relevance of this
assessment for you.
• Character Strengths in the Workplace.
• Positive Workplaces.
• Character Strengths and Mental health.
• Primary Prevention and Enhancement in Mental Health.

• Family–Centered Positive Psychology.
• Character Strengths in Positive Education.
• Positive Schools.
• Character Strengths and Health and Wellness.
Use the Capella University Library to find scholarly articles. If you aren’t familiar
with the library, the “Finding Articles” section of the Psychology Research Guide is
a great place to start your search. You are required to include a minimum of 3
properly cited professional resources (such as a textbook and peer–reviewed
scholarly journal articles from the Capella library).
Instructions
Organize your paper, using the following headings to ensure that you address
each element of the assessment.
• Introduction
o Write a description of the specific environment you are discussing and why you
believe positive psychology principles could be of use in it. Include details of who is
in the environment, where it is, and what people are doing in that setting.
• Applications of Positive Psychology
o Write a detailed explanation of principles (for example, positivity, happiness, well–
being) and concepts (for example, character strengths, flourishing, flow, gratitude)
from positive psychology that are most relevant to the selected environment, and
explain why.
• Strengths and Limitations of Positive Psychology Applications in this Setting
o Write an assessment of the strengths and limitations (advantages and
disadvantages, pros and cons) involved in the application of positive psychology
principles and concepts in this setting.
• Research Supporting the Application of Positive Psychology in the Setting
o Cite and apply scholarly research that supports the application of positive
psychology principles and concepts in this setting.
• Conclusion
o Write a conclusion in which you summarize how the use of positive psychology
principles and concepts in this setting may affect your current and future work life,
health, education, or family.
Additional Requirements
Your paper should meet the following requirements:
• Written communication: Written communication should be free of errors that
detract from the overall message.
• APA formatting: Your paper should be formatted according to current Evidence and
APA guidelines.

• Number of References: Your paper should include a minimum of 3 properly cited
professional resources (such as a textbook and peer–reviewed scholarly journal
articles from the Capella library).
• Length: 4–6 double–spaced pages of content in addition to the title page and
reference page.
• Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12–point.
Review the Positive Psychology Applied to Institutions Scoring Guide for details
on how your paper will be graded.
Portfolio Prompt: You may choose to save this learning activity to your ePortfolio.
Competencies Measured
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your
proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:
• Competency 1: Explain the relationship among positive experiences, positive traits,
and optimal human functioning.
o Explain potential uses of positive psychology principles in a specific environment.
• Competency 2: Apply concepts of positive psychology to real world situations.
o Explain the relevant applications of principles and concepts within a specific setting.
• Competency 3: Apply research findings to topics in positive psychology.
o Support analysis of positive psychology applications with scholarly sources.
• Competency 4: Analyze the strengths and limitations of applied positive psychology.
o Assess the strengths and limitations of positive psychology applications within a
specific setting.
• Competency 5: Write using a clear purpose, organization, tone, and sentence
structure.
o Address assessment purpose in a well–organized text with appropriate tone and
grammatically sound sentences.
o Use APA–style formatting in citations and references.