Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) Capstone Projects Copyright (c) 2013 University of Pennsylvania All rights reserved. http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone Recent documents in Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) Capstone Projects en-us Sun, 10 Mar 2013 01:33:50 PST 3600 Super Women Lawyers: A Study of Character Strengths http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/38 http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/38 Fri, 08 Mar 2013 12:40:32 PST The legal profession has relatively high rates of depression and career dissatisfaction. It has been suggested that positive psychology, which correlates the greater use of individual character strengths with increased life satisfaction and success, may have the answers. In this study, 17 women lawyers named to a top lawyers list compiled by the Super Lawyers rating service, took the online Brief Strengths Test, a 24-question version of the 240-question online Values in Action – Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS) and 16 participated in interviews probing the extent of their strengths use both personally and professionally. As predicted, the study found that these superachievers regularly used their character strengths to meet challenges. Though not predicted, they also exhibited a predominance of heart strengths as opposed to more analytical head strengths, with gratitude and kindness appearing most frequently. These successful women exercised heart strengths regularly and strategically in professional and personal settings, in conjunction with head strengths, such as bravery, prudence and self-control. The study suggests that the stereotypical “lawyer personality” in which thinking dominates feeling in every aspect of practice, may not apply to those who excel. Cultivation of heart strengths may be useful to increase success and well-being in the legal profession.

]]> Patricia Snyder Integrated Well-being: Positive Psychology and the Natural World http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/37 http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/37 Thu, 07 Mar 2013 08:00:42 PST In the web of life, we are all interconnected. This connectivity extends beyond the human domain and towards systems much larger than ourselves—the whole of the Earth’s species. As this paper illustrates, this connectivity with non-human life is innate, and deepening that connection to nature has positive influences on our well-being and optimal functioning, above and beyond the mere utilitarian value that our environment affords. Whether looking at nature through a window or being fully immersed, wild spaces are good for our mental and physical health, our likelihood to engage in ecological behaviors, and our personal and community resiliency and well-being. Initiatives that recognize the importance of wild spaces also build powerful, positive, sustainable communities. When positive psychology notions of well-being are more systems-based and nature-inclusive, we get a deeper and more holistic understanding of our own psychology. We are also better prepared for a world in which all of life—humans today and future generations, as well as plants, animals, and planetary processes—can flourish regeneratively. From an examination of the individual to a reflection of our interdependence with the whole of the world, positive psychology has the potential to unmask a complete picture of all it means to be alive and thriving.

]]> Aislinn Pluta Blending The Roots and Rhythm of Tai Chi with Positive Psychology: A Handbook http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/36 http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/36 Thu, 07 Mar 2013 07:55:33 PST The purpose of this Capstone is to integrate principles of positive psychology into an educational training program for the Tai Chi for Health Institute. This integration will be disseminated in the form of a small handbook and will be put into practice as a presentation in June 2013, during the weeklong Tai Chi for Health workshop in New London, Connecticut (June 10-15, 2013). After briefly providing an introduction to the field of positive psychology, the paper describes two broad areas: 1) Harnessing the experience of positive emotions in conjunction with physical activity; and 2) Developing and using character strengths in the service of optimal performance. Subsumed within these topics, various positive interventions are described at length along with suggestions for application. An overarching aim of this paper is to synthesize the disciplines of Tai Chi and positive psychology for the purpose of cultivating greater health, happiness, and harmony on a personal and collective level.

]]> Justin Gruver Victim Initiated Positive Disengagement: How Victims Can Flourish in the Aftermath of a Crime http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/35 http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/35 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:05:23 PST The relationship between a crime victim and an offender is unlike any other relationship: it is involuntary and initiated during a traumatic event. This has special implications for how the relationship is resolved. This paper looks at the history of the victim label and identifies the limitations of the criminal justice system for addressing many victims’ needs. The principles of positive psychology and such constructs as resilience, post-traumatic growth, and the theory of well-being are explored; and examples are given of how these principles and constructs are used by victims to help them flourish. This paper identifies theories of relationship dissolution and applies them to the hypothesis that a victim initiated positive disengagement process is a strategy that victims can use in the aftermath of the crime to help them heal and thrive. This has significant implications for the types of services that post-conviction victim service programs provide and for further research into this topic.

]]> Amy R. Holloway The Impact of Positive Traits on Teacher Performance Within A Systems Driven Charter School Management Organization http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/34 http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/34 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:05:21 PST Teacher effectiveness is the single most important in-school factor influencing the rates at which school children learn. Large variations in performance exist between teachers and this translates into missed learning opportunities for students. Whilst the impact of highly effective teachers on student learning is understood, the factors that account for the variance in teacher performance are less clear. In this study, novice teachers (N = 313), with six or fewer years of experience working at a tuition free public charter school, completed measures of positive affect, optimistic explanatory style, grit and satisfaction with life. At the end of the school year, teacher effectiveness was measured by student growth, principal ratings and parent satisfaction. Multiple linear regression showed that none of the traits predicted teacher performance as assessed by student growth or by parent satisfaction. Positive affect and life satisfaction were shown to positively predict principal ratings; however this finding was dismissed as likely the result of principals awarding higher scores to teachers with personality traits they found more desirable. Positive traits may not have significantly predicted teacher performance at NHA because of the charter school management organization’s adherence to systems thinking with fidelity. Teachers at NHA are asked to follow best practices and compliance is considered key to success over creativity in many circumstances. Adherence to these best practices may stamp out the individual performance variation through which the effect of positive traits would be most evident.

]]> Adam B. Maurer Positive Psychology and Work-Life Integration: The Mutually Satisfying Relationship http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/33 http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/33 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:00:27 PST Positive psychology is the empirical study of what makes life worth living, an exploration of human flourishing. Work-life integration is a holistic approach to living that enables people to create wins across varying life domains. The author suggests that positive psychology and work-life integration are mutually satisfying fields of study. This paper outlines specific recommendations for how positive psychology theory and research can contribute to an individual’s success in effectively integrating work and life. In turn, the process of improving work-life integration may enhance an individual’s ability to live a flourishing life. Possible implications for this work include future empirical testing of the recommendations made in this paper to determine their validity and reliability and the scientific exploration of specific connections that can be made between positive psychology and work-life integration.

]]> Katie Comtois Well-Being At Work: An Engineer Short Circuits Workplace Dysfunction http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/30 http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/30 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 09:42:03 PDT This capstone explores well-being in engineering in the context of positive psychology by examining theoretical and empirical research, common engineering workplace requirements, and the author’s own workplace anecdotes. It suggests that engineers possess unique thinking styles and innate character traits that can significantly damage their individual well-being, as well as the well-being of their organizations. In response to this finding, this capstone proposes and modifies several psychometrically validated interventions aimed at improving the individual well-being of engineers and their organizations. Finally, it also includes a draft book proposal describing how positive psychology can improve well-being in the workplace. The book proposal includes an overview and outline.

]]> Thomas Heffner Positive Media: An Introductory Exploration http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/29 http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/29 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 09:34:52 PDT Media has become an increasingly large part of our lives, and therefore plays a crucial role in our well-being. Positive psychology, the science of well-being, can be complemented through the new potentialities of media, which in many ways also seeks to improve the human experience. I create the context for a new dialogue about what "positive media" might be. By adopting a positive lens and discussing exemplars in different formats, this paper explores the ways media effectively incorporates elements of well-being. Through this positive approach, we gain an appreciation for what media does well. The paper also recommends ways that people can consume media in support of their well-being, and ways media creators can design content that optimizes human flourishing. Lastly, the paper encourages a dialogue between the important fields of positive psychology and media. With a partnership between these fields, it posits the opportunity for dramatically increasing global well-being.

]]> Meghan B. Keener MPS SOARs: Facilitating Elementary Transition due to Building Closures in a Positive and Productive Way http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/28 http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/28 Tue, 07 Aug 2012 07:05:52 PDT Midland Public Schools (MPS) is closing five of 12 elementary buildings in the 2010-2011 school year for a variety of reasons. MPS SOARs is a two part modified Appreciative Inquiry process designed to both provide closure and optimism to end the 2009-2010 school year in the existing buildings and then to start the process of building a positive group morale for the 2010-2011 school year in the consolidated schools. The target population is elementary staff members, mainly teachers. The goal is to SOAR: to bring out Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and a chance for Reflection. MPS SOARs I took place on May 28, 2010. This paper presents background information on MPS, research to support the use of Appreciative Inquiry, components of Appreciative inquiry, timeline and design of MPS SOARs, and follow-up feedback used both to assess the effectiveness of MPS SOARs I and to assist in planning MPS SOARs II which will take place at the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year.

]]> Kathryn L. Snyder Analysis of Positive Psychology Training at Geelong Grammar School http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/27 http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/27 Thu, 03 May 2012 10:57:28 PDT Kirsten J. Cronlund Aid from Africa: Lessons for the West from the Motherland http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/26 http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/26 Thu, 03 May 2012 10:57:27 PDT After spending years traveling, living, and working in Africa I came to the conclusion that there was ‘something’ about Africa. A deep knowledge about flourishing that I hadn’t found anywhere else in the world. This left me questioning; is it possible to experience happiness and flourishing despite some of the more difficult circumstances known to mankind? Aid from Africa is a journey to personal understanding and flourishing in rural South Africa. The Motherland is often seen as the birthplace of humanity, and yet it is home to some of the worst conditions for life on the planet. It is also home to some of the greatest examples of the beauty of humanity. Traditionally seen as a money pit of corruption and Aid; Africa has another story to tell. Through the lens of positive psychology, Aid from Africa tells this story, and shows that we still have a lot to learn from our Motherland.

]]> Jaime B. Cundy Miss Resilience, Character Strengths and Flourishing: A Positive Education Workshop for Singapore Teachers http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/25 http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/25 Thu, 03 May 2012 10:57:25 PDT Positive education, or teaching the skills of well-being through direct instruction and the curriculum, aims to teach children the skills to build resilience, capitalize on strengths and systematically build the pillars for a flourishing life. Positive education can succeed amidst a supportive school environment and well-equipped teachers that inculcate the right values and character. Given that school-going children spend more than fifty percent of their time in school, it is thus imperative that teachers be trained with the skills of well-being. This paper provides an introduction to positive psychology (the foundation for positive education), describes the need for positive education in Singapore schools and proposes a workshop to equip secondary/high-school teachers with the skills and knowledge of resilience, character strengths and a flourishing life – the elements of which are summarized as PERMA (positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning & achievement) (Seligman, 2011).

]]> Sha-En Yeo Heart Start: A paradigm shift in early childhood education http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/24 http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/24 Thu, 03 May 2012 10:57:24 PDT Children are born in potential as strong and powerful human beings. Their strengths and gifts of character are nurtured by the environment in which they are raised and the caring adults who surround them in their early years. Research demonstrates that the cornerstones of child well-being are positive relationships, nurturing environments, and the image of the child as a capable citizen, thus leading to flourishing adults and communities. However, these relationships and environments need not be limited to the home, but rather should include schools, neighborhoods and organizations where children and parents participate and contribute to building social capital within a community. Statistics indicate that states with higher scores on the Social Capital Index are the same states whose children are flourishing. Therefore, the current research implies that quality early childhood development should inclusively: 1) build on positive relationships 2) incorporate environments that cultivate the strengths of the heart 3) recognize the strengths of children from the moment they are born. By doing so, early childhood development in America will be not only be giving our youngest citizens a head start, but also a heart start.

]]> Elizabeth Gragg Elizardi What Good is Positive Business? http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/23 http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/23 Thu, 03 May 2012 10:57:23 PDT Current economic forces, combined with powerful social forces, have created a shifting paradigm of value for markets and organizations around the world. Simply making money – regardless of the social costs – will no longer suffice as a definition of success for a country, a business or even for most individuals, as the human and environmental price becomes increasingly expensive and unsustainable. Now more than ever we need a revolution of new theories and ideologies to help us define and discover the “good society” of the future. Humbly the authors of this paper propose a new theory of business – Theory P – and a means to test its applications – positive business – to advance this revolution by developing more positive leaders, employees and institutions. Grounded in the learnings from the great business thinkers and the leading “people” scientists of our time, we have blended organizational scholarship, positive psychology and positive organizational scholarship together to ask “What good is positive business?” We hope you find our thinking enjoyable, challenging and provocative. And we welcome feedback and ideas on how we might shape our ideas further.

]]> Michelle McQuaid et al. No Pain More Gain http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/22 http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/22 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:35:37 PST A study of 6156 respondents to an online survey measuring their character strengths and virtues twice over a period of time suggests that an increase in virtue may be linked not only to eudemonic happiness, but to the hedonic as well. Happy people see more growth in character strengths than their less happy counterparts. This relationship is particularly strong for the virtues robustly associated with life satisfaction (gratitude, zest, love, curiosity, optimism/hope) and wisdom. Conversely those who are depressed and experience more negative affect see a greater decline in character strengths. The findings support the Broaden and Build theory (Fredrickson, 2001), in that the character strengths that broadened mindsets and behavioral repertoires are more affected by the subjective well-being. This may suggest an alternative approach to character development. Encouraging happiness and positive affect at the beginning of the process, may “prime” the individual for the change they wish to make happen.

]]> Emma Judge et al. Unleashing the Power: Anthony Robbins, Positive Psychology, and the Quest for Human Flourishing http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/21 http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/21 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:55:29 PST This paper is written to compare two well-being movements: positive psychology and the self-help movement as modeled by Anthony Robbins, a well-known self-help, motivational and empowerment guru, author and speaker who has been internationally popular since the 1980s. This paper will analyze both theories of well-being and associated interventions that lead to more well-being from both schools of thought, including a case study analysis of an intervention conducted by Anthony Robbins at one of his seminars. The author seeks to create a bridge between the two fields and propose future research directions using positive psychology as the framework for measurement and analysis of Anthony Robbins’ interventions and techniques.

]]> Stephanie M. Ramones Innovating News Journalism through Positive Psychology http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/20 http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/20 Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:02:54 PST Consuming and producing news reports have a substantial negative emotional impact on both users and journalism professionals. This is a concern for both the journalism profession and for society. Does positive reporting and positivity have a place within already existing foundational values and ethics in journalism? Key findings from positive psychology may be particularly relevant to media workplaces. To test this notion in the realm of news reporting, 710 participants completed an online experiment. Participants read a negatively valenced classic style news story and one of five experimentally manipulated variants, which drew on positive psychology principles to slightly alter the language and emotional valence. Participants completed measures of affect and offered impressions of the media. Across participants, affect significantly declined after reading the classic story. Results support the detrimental impact of classic-style news reports, and suggest that it may take multiple positive news stories to counter the emotional impact of a single negative story. Some positive versions proved more effectual for inducing positive emotion, whilst still being viewed as fair and balanced reporting. Despite strong core ethics in journalism of minimizing harm, news reporting is often more focused on repairing damage, thus promoting a disease model of human functioning and negatively affecting human flourishing. However, news media has strong potential for innovation by drawing on the principles of positive psychology. This potential is described and concrete suggestions given.

]]> Cathrine Gyldensted From Coach to Positive Psychology Coach http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/19 http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/19 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 10:36:46 PST The success of positive psychology interventions and visual learning methods combined with the growing field of executive coaching provides rich opportunity to develop potentially transformative positive coaching methods. My hypothesis is that it is possible to become a deeper coach helping clients to achieve improved outcomes by understanding effective coaching methods and identifying a few specific vehicles of constructive engagement (positive interventions), developing depth and expertise as a coach in these areas, and applying these with supporting visuals to coaching engagements. This paper includes a literature review of pertinent positive psychology, coaching and visual learning research. Also, I gather a broad perspective of positive psychology constructs and successful coaching interventions by interviewing current positive psychology coaches, researchers, and visual practitioners. Findings: while each interviewee uses the breadth of positive psychology research and concepts, each seems to have a particular focus area that reflects that individual’s particular personality or interests. Therefore, I chose to focus on three particular areas of interest to me – cognitive-behavioral coaching to influence one’s internal dialogue and explanatory style, positive emotions, and visual learning. I foresee using these approaches frequently in my coaching engagements.

]]> Peter L. Berridge Mr. Building a Foundation for Positive Psychology in Schools http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/18 http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/18 Thu, 09 Jun 2011 10:54:25 PDT Abstract

Teachers in a large, non-urban school system completed one or more positive psychology questionnaires assessing strengths of character; happiness; orientation toward pleasure, engagement, and meaning as three different paths to happiness; explanatory style; orientation toward teaching as a job, a career, or a calling; and job satisfaction. These results of these 170 participants are compared with those obtained from an Internet sample of 2,538 teachers on four of the same instruments. Correlations between the results for each of the two samples are examined. The resulting profiles of the two samples are compared, and suggestions are made as to possible uses of such data to guide improvement in large school systems.

]]> Sherri W. Fisher et al. Happy at Work: How the Science of Positive Psychology Will Revolutionize the Workplace http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/17 http://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/17 Thu, 09 Jun 2011 10:54:21 PDT This capstone is a draft of a proposed book on positive psychology in the workplace, aimed at a popular audience. It contains a detailed table of contents and reference sources, as well as several complete or partially- complete chapters. It also includes an extended section on lawyers that will form the basis of a separate academic article. The book’s working title is Happy at Work: How the Science of Positive Psychology will Revolutionize the Workplace. Its thesis is that most modern human resources practices are misguided with an overreliance on process and metrics. Humans are treated as capital, and firms focus on their failings and weaknesses rather than their strengths. In a post-crash world such approaches are unsustainable, and positive psychology provides a new way of managing that will revolutionize the workplace. Unlike what many would believe, it is OK to be happy at work; in fact, we should be happy at work. High corporate performance requires happy employees, and the book links the science of positive psychology with its practical application to show how any company can increase happiness at work.

]]> Daniel S. Bowling III