Briefly describe an area of psychological theory and/or research that suggests how your project could have an impact on well-being.

The Final paper Instructions

The report should include the following components. Integrate these things in a paper with good narrative flow, i.e., avoid presenting them as a series of disconnected responses to the guidelines below. You should have clear introductory and concluding paragraphs to the essay, and the structure of the paper should have a good ‘story line’. You do not need to address these points in order. (In fact, you will likely want to address parts of #3 before #1 and #2.) The quality of your writing (clarity, flow, grammar, etc.) will have a substantial impact on your grade. We will assess writing quality, and quality writing also contributes to clear communication of ideas, which are also important. Write using APA style.

1. Clearly describe what you did. If you’ve developed a novel technique, describe how you adapted ideas from your source of inspiration and/or put advice into practice.
2. Note your personal observations during the process. This can include your emotions, thoughts, and observations of your and others’ behavior. You might speculate about longer term outcomes of what you did too. (You are not required to become happier; be honest in your assessment.)

3. Link your project with academic readings and/or course content. That is, identify and briefly describe an area of psychological theory and/or research that suggests how your project could have an impact on well-being. (Why might it work? What is the relevant evidence?) You are encouraged to use material/readings from this course, and to use direct citations (e.g., a lecture date or text reading by chapter). However, you must also go beyond assigned course material, using and referencing primary source, peer-reviewed psychological research. (If you are unsure about appropriate sources for this, please consult the instructor, TA, or research librarians.) You will likely find it useful to both introduce these ideas early in the paper and to return to them to compare and contrast what psychology says with your experience. Papers should include at least three academic, peer-reviewed sources (i.e., beyond course assigned readings). You will have to read/browse more than three articles to find ones that fit well. Choosing and using these sources well will be another important part of the grade.

4. Address how your project activity could be rolled out to the entire Carleton community (i.e., students, faculty, staff) as a positive psychology intervention. For example, if your project had many uniquely personal elements, how might it need to be adapted to work for others as a general technique? If your project did not work well, what might you change before advertising it to others? What instructions or advice would you need to give others? How would you make the Carleton community aware of your positive activity? How would you encourage people to do your activity? You do not need to specifically address each question here, but you must consider the pragmatics of applying your project broadly at Carleton. This section will be somewhat speculative; yet, try to support your speculation with logic and by incorporating research and theory as much as possible. This could include new references that you’ve discovered (thus helping contribute to the minimum three).