The role of positive psychology in creating the psychologically literate citizen

This chapter examines the emergence of Positive Psychology and then outlines its potential to assist in the development of psychologically literate citizens. Positive psychology and its relationship to humanistic psychology is described before an overview of the current situation in the positive psychology curriculum at the tertiary level is provided. Development of psychological literacy is examined by contrasting popular psychology with that which is examined by the scientific method-a cornerstone of positive psychology. Positive psychology interventions (PPI's) are described as a practice drawn from this science. The chapter argues for a particular focus on the undergraduate curriculum and provide specific recommendations to facilitate the development of psychological literacy in this context.