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Applied Positive Psychology

By Prof. Dilwar Hussain   |   IIT Guwahati
Learners enrolled: 221
ABOUT THE COURSE:

Positive psychology is generally defined as the scientific study of what goes right in life and what makes life most worth living. This field emphasizes using science to understand optimal human functioning. Though it has existed explicitly since 1998, there is now a wealth of research and theory on what makes life fulfilling and its applications across various domains of our lives.

This course will bridge theory and practice by connecting up-to-date research with real-world examples, guiding students to apply evidence-based practices in their own lives and specific areas such as school, work, and therapy. It will begin with an introduction to core concepts, theories and research findings and then explore interventions and applications informed by these research findings.

The course will comprehensively cover major concepts of positive psychology and their evidence based interventions and applications. Topics will range from well-being, happiness, positive emotions, personal strengths, meaning in life to emerging areas like mindfulness and positive relationships.

INTENDED AUDIENCE: UG and PG students of Humanities and Social Sciences, Sciences and Engineering

INDUSTRY SUPPORT: HR section of companies
Summary
Course Status : Upcoming
Course Type : Elective
Language for course content : English
Duration : 12 weeks
Category :
  • Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit Points : 3
Level : Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Start Date : 21 Jul 2025
End Date : 10 Oct 2025
Enrollment Ends : 28 Jul 2025
Exam Registration Ends : 15 Aug 2025
Exam Date : 25 Oct 2025 IST
NCrF Level   : 4.5 — 8.0

Note: This exam date is subject to change based on seat availability. You can check final exam date on your hall ticket.


Page Visits



Course layout

Week 1: Introduction to Positive Psychology:
Introduction to positive psychology, flourishing and mental health, eastern and western perspectives on positive psychology

Week 2: Positive Emotions and Happiness:
Positive emotions, happiness and subjective well-being, Interventions to promote positive emotions and happiness

Week 3: Optimism and Hope:
Concepts and interventions of optimism and hope

Week 4: Mindfulness and Flow:
Psychology of mindfulness and flow, Interventions for cultivating mindfulness and flow

Week 5: Psychological Strengths and Assets:
Concepts and theories of personal strengths, Strength based interventions, successful aging

Week 6: Resilience and Posttraumatic growth:
Understanding and building resilience, Theories and interventions for posttraumatic growth

Week 7: Meaning and Purpose in life:
Concepts and theories of meaning and purpose in life, Meaning oriented interventions

Week 8: Kindness and Pro-social Behavior:
Theories and benefits of kindness and pro-social behavior, Interventions for promoting kindness and pro-social behavior

Week 9: Positive Interpersonal Relationships:
Importance of social support and network, Theoretical models and interventions for promoting positive relationships

Week 10: Positive Psychology Interventions in Education and Classroom Teaching:
Approaches to positive education, Positive classroom practices and activities, Promoting academic engagement and achievement

Week 11: Positive Psychology Interventions in the Workplace:
Positive psychology and workplace, Positive organizational behavior and outcomes

Week 12: Positive Psychology Interventions in Therapy and Counselling:
Positive Psychology and the Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy, Positive psychology models of therapy

Books and references

  1. J. S. Cheavens & D. B. Feldman, The Science and Applications of Positive Psychology, Cambridge University Press, 2022. 
  2. C. Peterson, A Primer in Positive Psychology, Cambridge University Press, 2006. 
  3. A. C. Parks & S. M. Schueller (Eds.), Handbook of Positive Psychology Interventions, Willey Blackwell, 2014. 
  4. M. L. Kern & M. L. Wehmeyer, (Eds.), The Palgrave Handbook of Positive Education, Palgrave Macmillan, 2021 
  5. J. L. Magyar-Moe, Therapist’s Guide to Positive Psychological Interventions, Elsevier, 2009. 
  6. C. Proctor, Positive Psychology Interventions in Practice, Springer, 2017
  7. C. Ruini, Positive Psychology in the Clinical Domains, Springer, 2017 
  8. S. J. Lopez, J. T. Pedrotti & C. R. Snyder, Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths (4th Ed.), Sage, 2019.

Instructor bio

Prof. Dilwar Hussain

IIT Guwahati
Dr. Dilwar Hussain is a professor of psychology in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati. His research interests are psychology of stress and trauma, positive psychology and well-being.

Course certificate

The course is free to enroll and learn from. But if you want a certificate, you have to register and write the proctored exam conducted by us in person at any of the designated exam centres.
The exam is optional for a fee of Rs 1000/- (Rupees one thousand only).
Date and Time of Exams : October 25, 2025 Morning session 9am to 12 noon; Afternoon Session 2pm to 5pm.
Registration url: Announcements will be made when the registration form is open for registrations.
The online registration form has to be filled and the certification exam fee needs to be paid. More details will be made available when the exam registration form is published. If there are any changes, it will be mentioned then.
Please check the form for more details on the cities where the exams will be held, the conditions you agree to when you fill the form etc.

CRITERIA TO GET A CERTIFICATE

Average assignment score = 25% of average of best 8 assignments out of the total 12 assignments given in the course.
Exam score = 75% of the proctored certification exam score out of 100

Final score = Average assignment score + Exam score

Please note that assignments encompass all types (including quizzes, programming tasks, and essay submissions) available in the specific week.

YOU WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CERTIFICATE ONLY IF AVERAGE ASSIGNMENT SCORE >=10/25 AND EXAM SCORE >= 30/75. If one of the 2 criteria is not met, you will not get the certificate even if the Final score >= 40/100.

Certificate will have your name, photograph and the score in the final exam with the breakup.It will have the logos of NPTEL and IIT Guwahati. It will be e-verifiable at nptel.ac.in/noc.

Only the e-certificate will be made available. Hard copies will not be dispatched.

Once again, thanks for your interest in our online courses and certification. Happy learning.

- NPTEL team


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