Positive Psychology Classes Help Students In Long-Term

To the editors:

Re: “Psych Courses Draw Full Houses,” news, Feb. 14.

As a Harvard graduate, I want to applaud Harvard for including Positive Psychology in its offerings, and understanding the importance of sharing the science of well-being with undergraduates. This is a group that is starving for this information, which I’ve seen firsthand in my own bulging practice.

I am currently enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania in the first-ever Masters in Applied Positive Psychology program, and am already using this practical science to help transform the lives of my clients, my family, and myself. I am an executive coach, author, and motivational speaker. I see every day how important it is to teach people about goal-setting theory, the science of hope, the importance of volitional behavior to change well-being, and how many areas of one’s life are affected by learning how to create more engagement, flow, happiness and gratitude in one’s life.

I had plenty of rigor in my classes at Harvard, but the lack of rigor cited in Lecturer Tal Ben-Shahar’s classes mask the fact that what he is imparting—quite successfully—could be the most important takeaway in students’ years on-campus. If they can walk away understanding that gratitude is the character strength most closely associated with happiness, or that having a meaningful social circle is one of the best predictors of aging well, they will not only change their lives, but they will “pay it forward” in ways that will change the world.

Anyone who doesn’t sign up for Ben-Shahar’s classes is missing a potentially life-changing experience. Mental health crises are at an all-time high on college campuses these days because of the stress and anxiety endemic to our society, so take advantage of this course now so that you will learn the tools to help you create well-being throughout life.

CAROLINE A. MILLER ’83
Bethesda, Md.
February 23, 2006