Positive Psychology
Qns 1: (2 comments X 80 words)
Discuss your fellow coursemates’ summarised articles by posting a minimum of TWO comments on other students’ posts. Each post should be at least 80 words.
Qns 2: Essay
Question (1000 words)
Despite the phenomenon of globalisation, differences in behaviours that are considered acceptable or taboo still seem to exist. For example, behaviours such as lifting bowls during the meal or leaving them on the table, to give a clock or not, leaving someone’s business card on the table during the meeting or stuffing it into your bag, are viewed differently across cultures.
Examine the ways in which happiness may be differentially defined across different cultures and propose how these differences may shape a culture’s valuation of well-being.
Required Reading
• Joshanloo, M., & Weijers, D. (2014). Aversion to happiness across cultures: a review of where and why people are averse to happiness. Journal of Happiness Studies, 15(3), 717-735.
• Oishi, S., Graham, J., Kesebir, S., & Galinha, I.C. (2013). Concepts of happiness across time and cultures. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 39, 559-577.
General Advice
In order to answer the question, you will have to use information from the Study Guide, Chapter 7 on “Culture and Happiness”, and the three required readings listed above.
You are also required to do additional research and cite at least five journal articles or book chapters (excluding the textbook). The information in the textbook is limited, so you are encouraged to go beyond the textbook and course material to search for relevant information and incorporate them into your discussions. Reading widely and beyond the textbook will add depth to your essay, and references to relevant research studies and examples will attract more marks. There is an abundance of resources that you can access from the library and Library eResources. Do note that internet references such as Wikipedia are not counted.
Answer should begin with an introduction that outlines the materials covered and what the basic argument will be. You will need to demonstrate the skill of being concise, so as to fit the material within the word limit of 1000 words for this discussion. When planning and writing the essay, do remember that an analytical argument and critical evaluation will gain more marks than a descriptive essay. You will need to cite all sources and provide complete references in APA style.
