Positive Psychology Studies on Happiness
How to Become Happier with a Few Simple Daily Activities
Dec 21, 2008
Spurred on by Dr. Martin Seligman's leadership and his book Authentic Happiness, positive psychologists have been actively studying well-being, what causes it, who gets it, and why some are happier than others despite similar life circumstances.
Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence. ~Aristotle
Noted positive psychology researcher Sonja Lyubomirsky's recent comprehensive presentation on happiness was titled "The How, What, When, and Why of Happiness," and was delivered to over 500 members of the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA) at the quarterly Leader's Series held on December 10, 2008. As an associate member of IPPA, this writer attended and provides this and subsequent articles based on the information provided.
Summary of the Benefits of Happiness
Dr. Lyubomirsky summarized the results of over two hundred scientific studies on happiness as follows. Happy people:
- Are more productive at work and more creative.
- Make more money and have superior jobs.
- Are better leaders and negotiators.
- Are more likely to marry and to have fulfilling marriages, and less likely to divorce.
- Have more friends and social support.
- Have stronger immune systems, are physically healthier, and even live longer.
- Are more helpful and philanthropic.
- Cope better with stress and trauma.
Is Happiness Predetermined?
Research studies conclude that a person's happiness is determined by three components: genetics, environment, and intentional activities. The first two, often called nature and nurture, are products of DNA, parenting, and the environment of childhood. These two factors account for about 60 percent of a person's ability to impact happiness.
The third factor, intentional activities, are those things a person chooses to be, do, or have. These account for about 40 percent of a person's happiness. Forty percent is a significant window of happiness opportunity. This area is the focus of positive psychology research and Sonja Lyubomirsky's presentation.
Studies of Three Happiness Activities
Dr. Lyubomirsky's presentation described research results from three specific happiness activity studies. Happiness activities are also called interventions in psychology research terminology. These are:
- Committing acts of kindness
- Expressing gratitude and optimism
- Expressing gratitude and optimism across cultures
Varying Acts of Kindness is Important
When using acts of kindness intentionally to increase happiness, Dr. Lyubomirsky's research indicates that variety is important. In her studies, subjects' happiness increased when they intentionally committed several varied acts of kindness each week. A test group, instructed to repeat fixed acts of kindness each week, actually showed a decrease in happiness. Happiness was measured by a composite of five often-used metrics of well-being. The group using a variety of kindness acts continued to show higher levels of happiness one month after the study completed.
The Benefits of Acts of Kindness
Dr. Lyubomirsky summarized the benefits of kind acts as:
- Helping see others more charitably.
- Feeling better off by comparison.
- Relieving guilt over other's misfortune.
- Feeling interdependence and cooperation.
- Feeling generous and competent to help others.
- Being attractive to others.
- Being appreciated.
Who is Sonja Lyubomirsky?
Dr. Lyubomirsky is one of positive psychology’s top researchers and professors, and the author of recently released The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want. Dr. Lyubomirsky is Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside with an undergraduate degree with honors from Harvard University and a Ph.D. from Stanford University. Dr. Lyubomirsky currently teaches courses in social psychology and positive psychology and serves as the Department of Psychology graduate advisor.
Dr. Lyubomirsky's presentation effectively summarized current research results on how to be happier and included specific advice for happiness-increasing activities one can initiate. This article focused primarily on one happiness-boosting activity, acts of kindness. Subsequent articles will describe other activities one may take to become happier.
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