Positive Psychology and Successful Leadership

Catalog description

This course will introduce students to research, theories, and practices central to the field of applied positive psychology and the emerging subfield of positive leadership for the purposes of (a) increasing personal and interpersonal well-being and (b) developing positive leadership skills which can be applied within university, business, organizational, civic, and government spheres. Positive psychology is a relatively new field which asks questions such as: What can scientific research tell us about practices and perspectives that lead to a happier life? What can psychology do to help ordinary people to thrive and flourish? Which practices lead to greater well-being, fulfillment, and life satisfaction? Positive psychology engages such questions by utilizing scientific research methods to identify practices which lead to greater well-being (including positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment). Positive psychologists maintain that (1) flourishing requires more than curing pathology; (2) flourishing requires tapping human strengths and positive capacities; and (3) scientific research methods can help us to identify and refine strategies for flourishing. Topics in positive psychology include positive emotions, hedonic misprediction and adaptation, character strengths, purpose, gratitude, kindness, meditation, nurturing social relationships, exercise, and more. Positive leadership studies focus on evidence-based approaches to successful leadership and draw on research at the intersection of positive psychology, leadership studies and organizational studies. Topics in positive leadership studies include approaches to well-being, strengths, leadership styles, problem solving (appreciative inquiry vs. pathologizing inquiry), meaning, intrinsic vs. extrinsic value, effective communication, and cultivating and maintaining positive relationships. This course will provide students with a theoretical and practical introduction to applied positive psychology with a focus on positive leadership. Students will engage in experiential homework in which they will apply strategies for enhancing their own well-being -- and for positively impacting their own leadership initiatives. This course will also expose students to local wellness resources at Tulane and will include a walking tour of the French Quarter exploring New Orleans architecture, history, culture, and cuisine.