Psychology 118

1. Psychology 118 The Psychology of Happiness and Well-Being

2. Instructor Dr. Dale L. Dinnel Professor of Psychology 440 Academic Instruction Center, East Wing Office Hours: 9:30-11:00 a.m. Monday, Wednesday 9:00-11:00 a.m. Tuesday 1:00-2:00 p.m. Thursday Other times by appointment only

3. Instructor Contact Information Telephone: (360)650-3522 e-mail address: Dale.Dinnel@wwu.edu Course materials will be available on my webpage at: http://myweb.facstaff.wwu.edu/~dldinnel/

4. Some Information About Me I grew up on a farm in southwest Nebraska (near Imperial, Nebraska)

5. Attitudes about life in Nebraska are reflected in the state motto displayed on roads signs: My family�s emphasis was on being thankful for what you have rather than what you don�t have (i.e., The cup is half full rather than half empty)

6. I received all of my degrees from the University of Nebraska�Lincoln: *Bachelor of Science�Mathematics *Masters of Science�Mathematics *Masters of Arts�Counseling Psychology *PhD�Psychological and Cultural Studies Taught mathematics in the public schools of Nebraska for 8 years and coached various sports (football, basketball, track, baseball) I have been teaching in the Department of Psychology at Western Washington University for 23 years (since 1986) I am currently the Chair of the Department of Psychology My research emphases have varied over time focusing on processing of prose information, cognitive factors involved in the teaching and learning of mathematics, cultural factors that contribute to social phobia and eating disorders, and achievement motivation. Presently, I my research is focusing on cultural differences in the expression of happiness and emotions.

7. Introductions Members of the class will introduce themselves to their classmates.

8. Required Textbooks(one copy of each is on 2-hour reserve in Wilson Library)  or

9. Journal Articles Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 377-389. � Graham, J. M. (2008). Self-expansion and flow in couples� momentary experiences: An experience sampling study. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 95, 679-694. � Oishi, S., Diener, E., & Lucas, R E. (2007). The optimum level of well-being: Can people be too happy? Perspectives on Psychological Science, 2, 346-360. � Otake, K., Shimai, S., Tanaka-Matsumi, J., Otsui, K., & Fredrickson, B. L. (2006). Happy people become happier through kindness: A counting kindnesses intervention. Journal of Happiness Studies, 7, 361-375. � Peterson, C. Park, N., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2005). Orientations to happiness and life satisfaction: The full life versus the empty life. Journal of Happiness Studies, 6, 25-41. � Sheldon, K. M., & Houser-Marko, L. (2001). Self-concordance, goal attainment and the pursuit of happiness: Can there be an upward spiral? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 80, 152- 163. Sheldon, K. M., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2006). Achieving sustainable gains in happiness: Change your actions, not your circumstances. Journal of Happiness Studies, 7, 55-86. Weiss, A., Bates, T. C., & Luciano, M (2008). Happiness is a personal(ity) thing: The genetics of personality and well-being in a representative sample. Psychological Science, 19, 205-210. Note. These journal articles are available as pdf files on my webpage: http://myweb.facstaff.wwu.edu/~dldinnel/

10. Course Description In this course, students will address the question of what comprises happiness and a sense of well-being in life. In particular, students will be exposed to the scientific literature on happiness and well-being within the framework of philosophical perspectives on life. Students will compare and contrast the findings on happiness and well-being in the scientific literature with advice provided in the various popular sources of information (e.g., self-help books, self- help websites, magazines, popular self-help television programs).

11. Course Objectives Students will be able to understand the historical and philosophical bases for happiness and well-being. Students will be able to understand the scientific basis of leading a happy and well-adjusted life. Students will be able to use the results of scientific inquiry to enhance their own personal happiness and well-being. Given the scientific bases of happiness and well-being, students will be able to critique sources of self-help advice about enhancing happiness and well-being that exist in popular culture.

12. Course Requirements Exams Exams will be a combination of multiple-choice items and short-response essay questions and will focus on the scientific basis of happiness and well-being. The midterm exam will comprise 15% of your course grade (October 23, 2009 1:00-2:20 p.m.) The final exam will comprise 25% of the course grade (December 8, 2009, 3:30-5:30 p.m.) Writing Assignments Book report � Students will read a book from the list of books from the reading list I have provided and critique the book in terms of what we have discussed in class (i.e., the scientific basis of happiness and well-being). In addition to the books listed at the end of this syllabus, students may select their own book if they have approval of the instructor. This will comprise 15% of the course grade. Happiness and well-being journal � Students will maintain a journal to record there thoughts, experiences, and observations about happiness and well being. These journals will be electronic in nature and should be written using Microsoft Word. You may also be given some structured exercises to respond to in your journal. Five times during the course of the quarter, you will be required to electronically submit this journal to the instructor for evaluation and feedback. This will comprise 25% of the course grade. Class contributions Class discussion � Students will be graded on the quality and quantity of their contributions to class discussions. Quality will be more important that quantity. This implies that students will attend every class meeting and that they come to class prepared to add to the discussion by having critically read the reading assignments. This will comprise 5% of the course grade. Oral Book report � Students will prepare an oral report using PowerPoint slides for of the book that they have selected for their book report. This will comprise 10% of the course grade.

13. Writing Exercise 1 Think about countries you have visited or read about. List and rank the five (5) countries of the world that you think are among the happiest places on earth. For each country you have listed, justify your selection. Note. You will be required to hand in this assignment at the end of the class.

14. ABC News�20/20 In Touch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTGKUwMegZ4&NR=1 Text of this video can be downloaded from: http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=4086092

15. 60 Minutes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shepBx2ogJo Text of this video can be downloaded from: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/14/60minutes/printable3833797.shtml

16. Discussion 1. What surprised you about the videos? 2. According to the information in the videos, what do researchers believe contributes to personal happiness? 3. According to the information in the videos, what do researchers believe contributes to people being less than happy?

17. Reading Assignment Read the Foreword and Chapter 1 (Is It Possible to Become Happier?) and Chapter 2 (How Happy Are You and Why?) in Sonja Lyubomirsky�s book The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want. Read the Preface and Chapter 1 (The Question of Happiness) in Tal Ben-Shahar�s book Happier: Learn the Secrets of Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment. Be prepared to begin discussing these readings on Friday, September 25, 2009.

18. Journal Assignment For each day of the quarter that we meet (MWF), list 3 things that made you happy on that day. Begin your journal today by making this entry. Analyze what there was about the situation that made you happy.

19. Complete Questionnaire Packet