Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) Capstone Projects
Document Type
Thesis or dissertation
Date of this Version
8-1-2017
Abstract
What is a thriving city? Is it even possible to raise the well-being of an entire city, and why bother? Recent advancements in positive psychology have made it possible to define, measure, and increase well-being on a much larger scale. This provides an unprecedented opportunity for cities to explore well-being. In order to increase the well-being of the city – cities will need to think carefully about what that means, why it is important, and how they will do it. This capstone posits that cities can define what well-being means for themselves inclusive of: the target (the city, individuals, or other ecosystems, such as neighborhoods), the outcomes (the anticipated results of increased well-being), and the measures (how a city chooses to assess subjective and objective well-being). This capstone proposes that cities can utilize a positive psychology design thinking approach to define these outcomes and create optimal interventions to increase well-being at scale. Through literature review, case studies, and the introduction of a deliberate design thinking approach to applying and measuring well-being, this capstone provides an entry point for city leaders to begin understanding the science of positive psychology and practical application of well-being for their cities and citizens.
Keywords
positive psychology, well-being, wellbeing, thriving, flourishing, cities, city, municipal, systems, ecosystem, collective, community, resilience, government, public policy, urban design, design thinking, human-centered design, measurement, big data, psychological intervention
Topic
Well-Being/Flourishing; Other Topics
Format
Literature Review
Included in
Applied Behavior Analysis Commons, Community Psychology Commons, Industrial and Organizational Psychology Commons, Infrastructure Commons, Multicultural Psychology Commons, Other Psychology Commons, Other Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration Commons, Personality and Social Contexts Commons, Policy Design, Analysis, and Evaluation Commons, Public Policy Commons, Quantitative Psychology Commons, Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration Commons, Social Policy Commons, Social Psychology Commons, Urban, Community and Regional Planning Commons, Urban Studies Commons, Urban Studies and Planning Commons
Date Posted: 29 August 2017