Journal Article
The optimum level of well-being: can people be too happy?
Authors
Publication date
2007
Abstract
Psychologists, self-help gurus, and parents all work to make their clients, friends, and children happier. Recent research indicates that happiness is functional and generally leads to success. However, most people are already above neutral in happiness, which raises the question of whether higher levels of happiness facilitate more effective functioning than do lower levels. Our analyses of large survey data and longitudinal data show that people who experience the highest levels of happiness are the most successful in terms of close relationships and volunteer work, but that those who experience slightly lower levels of happiness are the most successful in terms of income, education, and political participation. Once people are moderately happy, the most effective level of happiness appears to depend on the specific outcomes used to define success, as well as the resources that are available.
Published in
Perspectives on Psychological Science
Volume
2 (4):346-360
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6916.2007.00048.x
Subjects
Psychology and Well Being
Links
http://serlib0.essex.ac.uk/record=b1701655~S5
Notes
Online in A/S Vol. 1-4, 2006-2009; Albert Sloman Library Periodicals *restricted to Univ. Essex registered users*
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