- Approximately 50% of happiness seems to be determined by a happiness ‘set point.’
- When poeple experience a lasting negative event (e.g., become paralysed) they become less happy, but after a year or so most people return to their baseline level of happiness.
- The reverse is true is true when people experience a positive event (e.g., a large lottery win)
- This set point may be largely determined by genetic predispositions that influence temperament and affect. For most people the set point seems to be mild positive affect (ei, not a neutral state).
- Surprisingly, only about 10% of happiness seems to be determined by a person’s circumstances (e.g., culture, age, material wealth)
- Approximately 40% of happiness may be determined by intentional activities (this includes the variety of things people think and do)
- Behaviours, such as exercising regularly, have been found to be associated with happiness
- Thoughts, such as reframing events in a positive light, are associated with happiness
- Lyubormirsky et al. (2005) suggested sustainable behavioural methods for increasing happiness
- The realm of intentional activity seems to be promising for increasing happiness
- Volitional (self determined behaviours and thoughts that are congruent with a personal goal) activity seems best suited for increasing happiness
- Activity that is based on self-congruent goals (i.e., that fit the person) seems best
- Finally, because we quickly habituate to repeated activities, and these activities then loose their power to influence happiness, activities that can be varied seem best.
- Fredrickson et al (2009) found that meditation led to increasing levels of positive affect over time. This may be because positive affect leads to a cycle of broadening and resource building.
Happiness
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