Psychology of Happiness: Types, Sources, and Influencing Factors

What are the two types of happiness?

Hedonia and Eudaimonia

What does the hedonic approach focus on?

Pleasure attainment and pain avoidance

What does the eudaimonic approach focus on?

Meaning and self-realization

According to Plato, what is essential for happiness?

Complete virtue or good moral character

Who was a pioneer of the eudaimonic approach in psychology?

Abraham Maslow

What is self-actualization according to Maslow?

The drive to realize one's talents and fulfill one's potentials

What is the relationship between lower and higher needs in Maslow's hierarchy?

Lower needs must be met before higher needs can be pursued

How does financial satisfaction relate to subjective well-being in poorer nations?

It is more strongly predictive of well-being compared to wealthier nations

What has changed about the function of marriage since 1965?

Marriage is viewed more as an elective means of achieving personal fulfillment

What are characteristics of self-actualizing people?

Self-aware, open, spontaneous, loving, and focused on a mission

What is a peak experience?

Moments of ecstasy and bliss that transcend ordinary consciousness

What did Maslow believe was an important component of self-actualization?

The need for self-transcendence

What are the two main problems with the hedonic approach to happiness according to Tal Ben-Shahar?

It focuses only on the present and lacks long-term meaning

What is hedonic adaptation?

The tendency to return to a baseline level of well-being after achieving a goal

What flawed premise do people often hold about happiness?

That it depends primarily on external circumstances

What did Daniel Kahneman's research reveal about higher incomes and happiness?

Higher incomes correlate with more life satisfaction but also with more daily anxiety

What did lottery winners report about their happiness five years later?

90% claimed they wished they had never won, with overall happiness unchanged

What does Dan Gilbert suggest about money and happiness?

Money brings a little happiness for a short time, not long-term fulfillment

What is the ultimate currency for human beings according to the text?

Not money, fame, fortune, or power, but something deeper

What is the main focus of research on money and happiness?

The relationship between financial status and subjective well-being

What is the significance of self-actualization in Maslow's hierarchy?

It represents the highest level of psychological development

How do self-actualizing individuals view relationships?

They prefer a few deep relationships over many superficial ones

What does Maslow's research indicate about self-actualizing people?

They are not paralyzed by others' opinions and focus on their true selves

What is the role of meaning in happiness according to the eudaimonic approach?

Meaning is essential for long-term happiness and fulfillment

How does the hedonic approach limit happiness?

By focusing only on immediate gratification and avoiding pain

What is the impact of societal changes on the perception of marriage?

Marriage has shifted from a survival necessity to a pursuit of personal fulfillment

What does the term 'self-transcendence' refer to?

Being motivated by values that go beyond the self

What is the ultimate currency for a human being according to Tal Ben-Shahar?

Happiness

What negative effects can arise from making money the primary objective?

Increased distress, higher likelihood of depression and anxiety, and poorer health.

What correlation was found between materialistic aspirations in college freshmen and mental health by age 37?

Those with materialistic aspirations were more likely to suffer from mental disorders.

How does income relate to empathy according to research?

Income is negatively correlated with empathy.

What did the study by Kraus, Cote, & Keltner (2010) reveal about lower social class individuals?

They scored higher on tests of empathic accuracy.

What was shown about low-income participants' brain activity during social-information trials?

They demonstrated more activity in areas associated with theory of mind and empathy.

What effect does thinking about money have on people's behavior?

It can make people act more selfishly.

What was the outcome of priming participants with images of money?

They were less likely to give money to charity or help others.

Is there a significant correlation between income and happiness?

Yes, but it is not as significant as most people think.

What income threshold did Kahneman & Deaton (2010) identify as a point where happiness levels plateau?

$75,000

What did Shawn Achor say about predicting long-term happiness?

Only 10% can be predicted based on a person's external world.

What is 'The Happiness Advantage' according to Shawn Achor?

Positive emotions can lead to increased external success.

What were the results of happiness interventions on businesspeople?

They were 37% better at sales.

How did happiness interventions affect doctors' diagnostic accuracy?

They became 19% faster and more accurate.

What was the impact of managers increasing praise and recognition of employees?

Employees' productivity levels increased by 31%.

What did a meta-analysis of 225 studies find about life satisfaction and business outcomes?

There is strong evidence of bi-directional causality.

What factors are correlated with happiness?

Age, gender, close friendships, marriage satisfaction, parenthood, religious faith, self-esteem, sleep, exercise, educational level, optimism, and physical attractiveness.

What is the difference between objective health and subjective health?

Objective health is what doctors say; subjective health is what individuals think about their health.

What are some characteristics of happy people?

Happy people tend to have high self-esteem, be optimistic, outgoing, agreeable, have close friendships or a satisfying marriage, engage in meaningful work and leisure, have spiritual faith, sleep well, and exercise.

What is the biggest predictor of happiness according to researchers?

Social relationships.

What does the quality of social relationships refer to?

It refers to how accepted you feel within your key relationships, focusing on depth and honesty rather than quantity.

What correlation was found between happiness and social support in college students?

A correlation of 0.71.

What is optimism?

Hopefulness or confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something.

How is optimism associated with brain activity?

It is associated with left prefrontal activity.

What impact does self-esteem have on happiness?

Self-esteem is a major predictor of happiness and reduces negative affect.

What is an internal locus of control?

The perception that one is the master of one's own destiny, positively correlated with happiness.

What role does a sense of meaning and purpose play in happiness?

It contributes positively to an individual's overall happiness.

How do sleep and exercise influence happiness?

Both are important factors that can enhance overall well-being and happiness.

What is the misconception people have about happiness?

Many believe that happiness solely depends on external factors.

What does Matthieu Ricard suggest about achieving happiness?

He suggests that inner change and shifting focus of attention and beliefs are essential for sustaining well-being.

What are some techniques for enhancing happiness?

Many evidence-based techniques take only a minute or no time at all to implement.

What will be discussed in succeeding lectures regarding happiness?

Neurological underpinnings of happiness factors and psychological research on behavioral techniques to alter those factors.

What is subjective health?

It refers to an individual's perception of their own health.

What factors are not strongly related to happiness?

Age, physical attractiveness, gender, educational level, parenthood, and objective health.

What is the importance of depth in relationships?

Depth allows individuals to relax and be seen for who they truly are, enhancing happiness.

What is the significance of the 75-year Harvard Grant Study?

It emphasizes that the quality of relationships is more important than the number of friends or the perfection of romantic relationships.

What is the relationship between self-esteem and social comparison?

Cultivating self-esteem reduces the tendency to engage in social comparison, which is correlated with negative affect.

What is the relationship between happiness and exercise?

Regular exercise is associated with improved mood and overall happiness.

What is the role of spirituality in happiness?

Having meaningful religious faith or a spiritual life can contribute to overall happiness.