In Assessment 1, you will choose an applied real-world setting – for example, a workplace, older persons’ residential care, a school – and choose and detail the implementation of a positive psychology intervention, for example, gratitude practice, increasing self-compassion, in that setting.

You will examine contextual factors involved in implementing the intervention and ways to measure and document change in participants and the setting in which the intervention is applied.

You will consider:

• Why is this intervention a good fit for your target audience and setting? That is, how does the intervention address an identified issue in the chosen setting?
• What would you be aiming for in terms of outcomes by introducing the intervention? Consider what the literature tells us about the outcomes of this intervention.
• What is the evidence to support the efficacy of the chosen intervention? Is the evidence strong for the use of this intervention in your chosen setting, or does the use of the intervention make good sense based on the identified issue(s) and expected outcomes of the intervention?
• How would you administer the intervention? Use literature to consider factors such as length of intervention, types of exercises implemented, and types of participants included.
• Are there any practical issues you need to consider when implementing the intervention in your chosen setting? For example, might an existing intervention need to be modified for your setting?
• What type of research design might you use to evaluate change? Consider what quantitative (e.g., specific measurement scales) or qualitative (e.g., semi-structured interviews, focus groups) approaches you could implement to determine whether positive changes have occurred and justify their use (e.g., validity, reliability).

Maximum word count: 2000 words (+/- 10%). This word limit includes in-text citations but excludes any reference section. Meeting the word count is included as a part of the marking criteria in your marking rubric on Moodle. See the Psychology Word Count Information document on Moodle for a rationale for using this type of word limit restriction.

Further task details will be available on the unit Moodle site.

You will be assessed on:

• The rationale for, and relevance of, the chosen interventions
• Formulation of how the positive psychology interventions would be implemented in the chosen applied setting
• Rationale for your choice of evaluation approach, including specific quantitative and/or qualitative approaches to examine positive change
• Quality of your written communication, including correct APA referencing and adherence to word count.

Detailed information regarding assessment requirements and criteria for assessment can be found in the Unit and Assessment Guide on Moodle.

In order to pass the unit, you will need to score at least 50% in this assessment.

For Assessment 2, you will complete group and individual tasks that involve choosing and implementing a self-administered positive psychology intervention.

You will:

1. Join a group of 4-5 students on Moodle
2. Establish a group work contract that includes roles of group members, communication frequency and methods, schedule of milestones, and an issues resolution plan. This plan will be submitted through Moodle prior to your group commencing work
3. Choose a self-administered applied positive psychology intervention that all group members want to implement. The unit coordinator will provide advice on the intervention chosen
4. Work with your fellow group members to choose specific measurement scales (quantitative approach) to examine the effectiveness of the intervention
5. Individually implement the chosen intervention in your own life over a period of 4-5 weeks
6. Document your progress and challenges in implementing the intervention (this will help you to develop your presentation).

You will then prepare and deliver a 20-25 minute group presentation with your group members, where you discuss:

• Why did your group choose the specific intervention? That is, what issue or area might the intervention address?
• Why did your group choose the specific approach to measure change? Consider the reliability, validity, and suitability of the measures to document change.
• Were there any changes reflected in the specific scales or assessment approaches chosen to examine the intervention’s effectiveness?
• What worked for you and what were the challenges faced during implementation?
• What needs to be considered for use of this positive psychology intervention with individuals or groups?

After the presentation, you will submit a document outlining your contributions to the intervention and presentation and a reflection (maximum of 200 words +/- 10%) of how you felt the group work and presentation went.

It is recommended you start your intervention by Week 6 so that you have sufficient time to implement it for a 4-5 week period.

The time limit of a 20-25 minute presentation equates to roughly 5 minutes per presenter. Meeting the time limit is included as a marking criteria in your marking rubric on Moodle. See the Psychology Word Count Information document for a rationale for using this type of time limit restriction.

Further task details will be available on the unit Moodle site.

You will be assessed on:

• Discussion of the rationale for the chosen intervention
• Discussion of the rationale for choice of approach to measure change
• Reflection on changes that occured as a result of the intervention - cognitive, emotions, behaviour, or wellbeing
• Reflection on the implementation process, including benefits and any challenges faced in implementation
• Discussion of how the interventions could be applied to individuals and groups
• Quality of presentation, including presentation coherence, content, style, and adherence to time limit
• Individual contribution to the design/implementation of the intervention and the presentation, including reflection on group work
• Completion of the group work contract.

Your final mark will be based on both the work of the group, your individual contribution to the design and implementation of the intervention, and your contribution to the presentation. Detailed information regarding assessment requirements and criteria for assessment can be found in the Unit and Assessment Guide on Moodle.

In order to pass the unit, you will need to score at least 50% in this assessment.

In Assessment 3, you will write a reflective journal to chronicle your reflections, insights, and ongoing development of knowledge and skills regarding the implementation of a self-administered positive psychology intervention for Assessment 2.

You will produce two reflective practice journal entries (600 words each, +/- 10%) documenting:

• your growing understanding of how to design, implement, and evaluate positive psychology interventions in an applied setting. This will include personal reflection on why the specific positive psychology intervention was expected to be useful to your own personal or work circumstances.
• evaluation of changes in perceptions, beliefs, and behaviour during the self-administered positive psychology intervention. What have you noticed about yourself, your emotions, relationships, or other aspects of your wellbeing since undertaking the intervention?
• reflections on progress and challenges in implementing and completing a self-administered positive psychology intervention. What specific challenges did you face or how did you ensure that you continued to implement the specific aspects of the intervention?

It is expected that you will relate your experiences (e.g., challenges, progress, outcomes) to what the positive psychology literature tells us about the particular intervention and, more generally, processes of change. While you will submit both journal entries at the same time, it is recommended that the first be written within the first 2 weeks of beginning your intervention and the second be written at the end of the intervention/shortly after completion of the intervention. 

Maximum word count: 600 words (+/- 10%) per entry. This word limit includes in-text citations but excludes any reference section. Meeting the word count is included as a part of the marking criteria in your marking rubric on Moodle. See the Psychology Word Count Information document on Moodle for a rationale for using this type of word limit restriction.

Further task details will be available on the unit Moodle site.

You will be assessed on:

• Self-reflection and examination of your own learning

• Self-reflection on change processes, challenges, and personal development during the implementation of a positive psychology intervention

• Quality of your written communication, including correct APA referencing and adherence to word count.

Detailed information regarding assessment requirements and criteria for assessment can be found in the Unit and Assessment Guide on Moodle.

In order to pass the unit, you will need to score at least 50% in this assessment.