The optimum level of well-being: can people be too happy?

Publication type

Journal Article

Authors

Publication date

June 1, 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

Volume: 2 (4):346-360

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6916.2007.00048.x

Subjects

Notes

Online in A/S Vol. 1-4, 2006-2009

Albert Sloman Library Periodicals *restricted to Univ. Essex registered users*

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