Positive Psychology: The Pursuit of Health and Happiness

(PSY 208)

The pursuit of happiness and good health is a universal quest. Today, scientific research offers new perspectives on what creates and sustains happiness of the mind and boosts the health of the body. In many cases these insights complement ancient contemplative practices.

During these times of uncertainty, understanding how to use positive emotions, resiliency, and other tools are of particular importance. Drawing upon research from diverse fields such as cognitive neuroscience, genetics, and psychology, students will explore such questions as: Does the body contain a biologically determined “happiness set point”? How does the brain’s pleasure circuitry operate? Is happiness determined by the attributional frameworks of our mind or by environmental circumstances? Are there self-regulation skills that can be learned to awaken a sense of joy and life meaning? Students will also be taught evidencebased methodologies to improve well-being. When these strategies were taught to Stanford undergraduate and graduate students last winter, the students demonstrated measured reduction in anger, improved stress management, and enhanced positive states by the end of the course.

Frederic Luskin, Director, Stanford Forgiveness Projects

Frederic Luskin is a senior consultant in health promotion at Stanford’s Vaden Health Center. He is the author of the bestselling books, Forgive for Good and Forgive for Love. Luskin received a PhD in counseling and health psychology from Stanford.

Carole Pertofsky, Director, Stanford Wellness and Health Promotion Services

Carole Pertofsky teaches health promotion classes at Stanford. Based on the documentary “Let’s Face It,” she facilitates national workshops that address the joys and challenges of maturity and aging.