Chapter 14: Happiness – The Science of Subjective Well-Being

Adaptation

The tendency for emotional reactions to good or bad events to diminish over time, with people returning toward their baseline level of happiness.

“Bottom-up” (external) causes of happiness

Situational factors outside the individual that influence happiness, such as health, wealth, and life events.

Happiness

A popular term for subjective well-being; can refer to feeling good, being satisfied with life, or the causes of well-being.

Happiness (psychological definition)

A relatively stable state of well-being characterized by predominantly positive emotions, contentment, or deep joy, and a desire for its continuation.

Life domains

Specific areas of life that contribute to overall well-being, such as work, finances, relationships, and health.

Life satisfaction

A cognitive evaluation in which individuals judge how well their life is going according to their own standards.

Negative feelings

Unpleasant emotions and moods such as sadness, anger, worry, and depression.

Optimal level

The level of a factor that produces the most favorable outcome.

Positive feelings

Pleasant emotions and moods such as enjoyment, love, and happiness.

Subjective well-being

The scientific term for happiness, referring to the combination of life satisfaction, positive feelings, and low levels of negative feelings.

Subjective well-being scales

Self-report questionnaires that measure how happy or satisfied individuals feel with their lives.

“Top-down” (internal) causes of happiness

Internal factors such as temperament, personality, outlook, and habitual thought patterns that influence happiness.