Uskudar University has been offering Positive Psychology courses for 10 years. In Finland, the Scandinavian country chosen as 'the happiest country in the world' for the fifth consecutive time by the World Happiness Report, tourism officials launched a retreat program to help people reconnect with their happiness. The happiness lessons to be provided within the scope of this program brought to light the work being done in our country in the field of positive psychology.
Uskudar University has been offering Positive Psychology courses for 10 years
At Uskudar University, our country's first thematic university in behavioral sciences and health, which has been carrying out important studies in the field of positive psychology since its establishment, Positive Psychology courses have been offered as compulsory courses since 2013.
Pioneered among few universities in the world…
Uskudar University became the first university to include this course in its academic curriculum years before many other leading universities worldwide. The positive psychology course, announced by Harvard University in 2015 as a groundbreaking course for people to achieve happiness, aims to enhance personal skills such as empathy, emotional intelligence, and coping with difficulties. After Harvard in the USA, Yale University also began offering the course in 2018. Subsequently, in 2019, Bristol University in the UK also included positive psychology in its curriculum.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Positive psychology is preventive mental health”
Defining positive psychology as 'the systematized form of Eastern Wisdom and Anatolian Sagacity through scientific methodology,' Uskudar University Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated, “Positive psychology is a science that addresses many issues in individuals, development, relationships, problem-solving, and marriage. Even individuals without any psychiatric problems need positive psychology. This is a preventive mental health effort.”
Earthquake and Post-Traumatic Growth Discussed at the 5th International Positive Psychology Congress
The International Positive Psychology Congresses, first hosted by Uskudar University in 2016, bring together world-renowned experts in the field. This year, the 5th International Positive Psychology Congress, held on March 10, 11, and 12, 2023, in partnership with NPİSTANBUL Hastanesi, NP Etiler & Feneryolu Medical Center, the Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Association, and the Positive Psychology Institute, focused on the theme 'Science of Well-being / What Arises from Well-being? & Earthquake and Post-Traumatic Growth'.
Prof. Dr. Howard Gardner was the guest of honor
At the congress where Psychologist Prof. Dr. Howard Gardner, known for his theory of multiple intelligences from Harvard University, was the guest of honor and delivered a speech titled 'The Science of Well-being, Multiple Intelligences Theory,' topics such as 'The Science of Well-being,' 'What Arises from Well-being?,' 'Meaning and Purpose of Life,' 'Optimism and Hope,' 'Psychological Needs and Motivation,' 'Psychological Resilience,' 'Post-Traumatic Growth,' and 'Human Relationships and Social Support' were discussed. The statements of American Psychologist Prof. Dr. Howard Gardner, the multiple intelligences theorist, that “Life may become easier in the future, but remaining human may not be so easy,” drew significant attention.
The book “Science of Happiness, Positive Psychology Applications for Youth” was prepared in 5 years
The work titled “Science of Happiness, Positive Psychology Applications for Youth,” which met its readers at the beginning of this year by Uskudar University, was published by Uskudar University Publications with the support of Founding Rector Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan and Uskudar University academics. The supplementary textbook, prepared by Lecturer Elif Konar Özkan according to the general rules of the Ministry of National Education (MEB) curriculum, consists of 19 units with copyrights from 22 psychology professionals. The work, completed in 5 years, also serves as a guide for psychological counselors and guidance teachers.
“Positive Psychology in 10 Steps”: Offers methods for developing emotional intelligence skills
The book “Positive Psychology in 10 Steps,” written in 2019 by Uskudar University Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, presents methods for developing emotional intelligence skills in 10 steps, along with practical applications, with a team of 19 experts, each specializing in different fields of psychology and psychiatry. In the book, concepts such as self-knowledge-awareness, communication skills, motivation, perseverance, and cooperativeness are explained individually, and the 10 steps are reinforced with psychodrama and exercises.
Contributing to scientific literature with “Journal of Happiness and Well-being”
Uskudar University also makes significant contributions to scientific literature with the ‘Journal of Happiness and Well-being’ (JHWB). The ‘Journal of Happiness and Well-being,’ for which Dr. Fatma Turan, Coordinator of Positive Psychology from Uskudar University's Psychology department, serves as assistant editor, makes important contributions to the field.