Erin SchryPSY492

Facilitator: S. Sadik

People who are happy People who are happy lead better lives.lead better lives.

Positive feelings change the way our brains work and broaden our experiences (Jones, 2010). This allows us to see the big picture of life.

Happiness improves one’s problem-solving and creative abilities (Jones, 2010). Participants in a study who were shown a comedy

film before being asked to perform a problem-solving task were more successful than those who were shown a neutral, mathematical film.

Good mood improves verbal reasoning skills (Jones, 2010). Happy people are more expressive and social.

Happiness can have Happiness can have negative affects.negative affects.

Happiness can make one (Jones, 2010): more gullible less able to develop persuasive

arguments more likely to make careless

decisions

The optimum level of happiness is a 7 or 8 out of 10 (Jones, 2010). Levels of 9 and 10 result in the

negative affects.

Happiness brings more Happiness brings more reward than reward than

unhappiness.unhappiness. Decisions are influenced by choice

architecture and state of mind (Anderson, Thaler, H, & Sunstein, 2010).

People who are happy make better life decisions, such as (Anderson, Thaler, H, & Sunstein, 2010):

Better investments More savings for retirement Less obesity More charitable giving Cleaner planet (Anderson et al.)

Happiness brings more Happiness brings more reward than reward than

unhappiness… (cont’d)unhappiness… (cont’d)

Subjective well-being is related to economic and physical well-being (Judge, Ilies, & Dimotakis, 2010).

General mental ability is related to work and non-work outcomes, such as (Judge, Ilies, & Dimotakis, 2010): physical well-being economic well-being psychological well-being (Judge et al.)

Happiness brings more Happiness brings more life satisfaction than life satisfaction than

unhappiness.unhappiness. Life satisfaction is explained by two approaches (Heller,

Watson, & Ilies, 2004): Top-down approach

personological factors Bottom-up approach

situational factors (Heller et al.)

Several meta-analytic factors that explain life satisfaction include (Heller, Watson, & Ilies, 2004): Extraversion Neuroticism Agreeableness Conscientiousness (Heller et al.)

Happiness brings more life Happiness brings more life

satisfaction than unhappiness… satisfaction than unhappiness…

(cont’d)(cont’d)

Self-esteem relates to career success (Kammeyer-Mueller, Judge, & Scott, 2008).

Social identity theory proposes that self-esteem is affected by extrinsic career success.

Self-consistency theory proposes that extrinsic career success is affected by self-esteem (Kammeyer-Mueller et al., 2008).

Self-esteem increases occupational prestige.

Self-esteem increases income (Kammeyer-Mueller et al.)

Happy people are Happy people are healthier than healthier than

unhappy people.unhappy people. Young, undeveloped, emotional minds are

more susceptible to disorders and pathologies (Kluger, 2010). According to the National Academy of

Sciences (NAS), 1 in 5 children in the U.S. suffers from an emotional or behavioral condition (Kluger, 2010).

Annual cost of treatment and consequences of juvenile psychological disorders is $250 billion (Kluger, 2010).

Mental illnesses cause a loss of joy during the disability adjusted life years (DALYs) diminished by illness (Kluger).

Happy people are Happy people are healthier than unhappy healthier than unhappy

people… (cont’d)people… (cont’d)

Physical ailments are due largely to negative emotions (Emoto, 2001). The importance of positivity is underrated (Emoto, 2001).

Positive thinking strengthens the immune system. Giving patients a reason to live boosts morale, spirits, and

the immune system. Doctors who treat sick parts along with human consciousness

reduce the need for doctors and hospitals (Emoto).

Human lives are divided into 6 important domains, the 3rd of which being overall health (Wheelwright, 2010). Protecting the body and mind are essential for lifelong, good

health (Wheelwright).

Happy people are healthier Happy people are healthier than unhappy people… than unhappy people…

(cont’d 2)(cont’d 2) Successful aging can be done (Vaillant, 2002).

Physical condition by ages 50-60 sets the foundation for the rest of one’s life (Wheelwright, 2010). One must first live joyously (Vaillant, 2002). One must receive from others gratefully. One must be capable of personal development

(Vaillant).

There are certain concepts for normal aging (Vaillant, 2002). Healthy individuals demonstrate characteristics of

maturity. Maturity includes forgiveness, joy, and gratitude.

Graceful aging is shown through acceptance of one’s fate (Vaillant).

There are always chances and There are always chances and

ways to improve happiness and ways to improve happiness and

overall well-being.overall well-being. Happiness level can be determined by

asking a number of questions, such as (Pieper & Pieper, 2003): “Are you unable to follow through on

important resolutions?” “Are you frustrated or inefficient at work?” “Is your love life unrewarding or filled with

conflict?” “Are you plagued by unpleasant emotions for

no apparent reason? (Pieper & Pieper)”

Many people find it difficult to realize their potential to live fulfilling lives (Pieper & Pieper, 2003).

There are always chances and ways to There are always chances and ways to

improve happiness and overall well-improve happiness and overall well-

being… (cont’d)being… (cont’d)

Adult character development is not concrete (Vaillant, 2002). By age 70, character-based choices

such as lifestyle and spouse influence one’s ultimate outcome.

Poor development is linked to depression (Vaillant).

Gratitude and love “bring vitality to the body (Emoto, 2001).” “Gratitude is almost always more fun

than spite or regret (Vaillant).”

ReferencesReferences Anderson, J., H, R., Thaler, C.R., & Sunstein. (2010, November).

Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness. Cambridge Economics and Philosophy, 26, 3.

Emoto, M. (2001). The Hidden Messages in Water. Hillsboro, OR: Beyond Words Publishing, Inc.

Heller, D., Watson, D. & Ilies, R. (2004). The role of person versus situation in life satisfaction: A critical examination. Psychological Bulletin, 130, 574-600.

Jones, D. (2010, September). Be happy. The New Scientist, 207, 2779.

Judge, T.A., Ilies, R., Dimotakis, N. (2010, May). Are health and happiness the product of wisdom? The relationship of general mental ability to educational and occupational attainment, health, and well-being. Journal of Applied Psychology, 95, 3.

References (cont’d)References (cont’d) Kammeyer-Mueller, J. D., Judge, T. A. & Scott, B. A. (2008). Self-

esteem and extrinsic career success: Test of a dynamic model. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 57, 204-224.

Kluger, J. (2010, November). Keeping Young Minds Healthy. Time, 176, 18.

Pieper, M.H., & Pieper, W.J. (2003). Addicted to unhappiness: freeing yourself from behaviors that undermine work, relationships, and the life you want. New York, NY: McGraw-Hills Companies, Inc.

Vaillant, G.E. (2002). Aging well: surprising guideposts to a happier life from the landmark Harvard study of adult development. Boston, MA: Little, Brown.

Wheelwright, V. (2010, November/December). Strategies for living a very long life. Futurist, 44, 6.