1. 4.5 The Relevance of Positive Psychology in Today’s society
Approach 5: The Positive Approach
4.5 The Relevance of Positive Psychology in Today’s society

2. Starter
Positive psychology is all about improving wellbeing and happiness for all people.
What applications can you see?
How could this approach be used in the real world?

3. Why is this a debate? Positive Psychology is new (1998)
Supporters claim that PP can be used anywhere and for anyone
Critics find issues with research and the impossible claims made

4. Why is this a Debate?
As we have studied positive psychology, you have probably formed your own views on its usefulness.
This debate gives you the opportunity to air your opinions on this approach, but you need also to be able to assess both sides of the argument.
The two strands to this debate are whether or not positive psychology is relevant in modern society.

5. Why is this a debate
Before looking at the various arguments for this debate, what is your opinion?
Does positive psychology have a place in today’s society? Is it relevant?
Can it bring benefits?
Are there any issues you can see?

6. Group Task
Two groups
Positive psychology is relevant
Positive psychology is not relevant
Criteria: Summary: each team must produce four things:
A PowerPoint with the key points
A handout with more in-depth detail
A sheet of counter arguments
Copies of at least two newspaper/magazine/online articles that support your argument

7. Group Task Presentation must be biased You need to also include
Ethical, social and economic implications
Social and cultural diversity
This will be used in a later lesson as the basis for a debate between the two groups

8. Exam practice
Exam corner on pg 101
Debate activity pg 104