Designing a psychological capital curriculum of consist optimism for Higher Education

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to design a psychological capital curriculum consist of optimism for Iranian higher education. Methodology: The research methodology was qualitative content analysis of deductive category system. The research domain consisted of all sources, articles, and printed and digital books related to psychological capital and a targeted sampling method was used. Data analysis was conducted through subject coding. The findings were derived from 50 conceptual codes that were categorized into 16 components and main categories of optimism. To validate the model of psychological capital curriculum, 10 experts from the field of curriculum and educational psychology contributed using Lawshe coefficient, with components below 62%, three components were deleted. Finding: the results showed that the identified targets for optimism included four components of reality, self-regulating growth, responsibility, and bravery. The obtained content showed that components of planning, self-excitation education, communication approach, positive thinking, and relationship between the current status and the past one need to be considered in optimistic curriculum. The results also identify education and two components for teaching methods of optimism: interpretative pattern and individual teaching pattern. For evaluation, three components of evaluating the interpretation and explanation, assessing the change in behavior, and an assessment of the correct and unfair practices of social communication were identified. Discussion: The present study, as a model for designing a curriculum for psychological capital based on optimism for Iranian scholars and planners of higher education, allows understanding and applying the elements of the curriculum to develop psychological capital in students.