Article 3.1 Huta 2016

Question 1

Ways of living - eudaimonia and hedonia

Answer 1

Orientations: personal priorities, reasons, motives, values, and goals behind a person’s chosen behavior
Behaviors: specific behaviors a person engages in, including actions and thoughts

They are called ways of living because they can be more directly chosen and changed

Question 2

Outcomes of ways of living - eudaimonia and hedonia

Answer 2

Experiences: subjective emotions, feelings and cognitive-affective appraisals
Functioning: abilities, accomplishments, and healthy habits.

Question 3

4 core elements of eudaimonic orientations

Answer 3

1. Authenticity: Clarifying one’s true self and values
2. Meaning: Seeking what truly matters and has value
3. Excellence: striving for high standards and quality in one’s ethics, behavior and performance and products
4. Growth: gaining knowledge, insight and skill

Question 4

2 elements hedonic orientation

Answer 4

Pleasure: positive emotion, pleasant sensations, and emotional satisfaction
Comfort: relaxation, ease and painlessness

Question 5

What is eudaimonic orientation linked to?

Answer 5

Feelings of meaning, evaluation, self-connectedness, interest, accomplishment, etc.

Question 6

What is hedonic orientation linked to?

Answer 6

Carefreeness, certain measures of positive affect, getting more sleep and consuming alcohol.

Question 7

Study 1 on link with behavior of parents

Answer 7

Parents who were both demanding and responsive had children who pursued eduaimonia as adults.
Parenting styles were unrelated to adult children’s hedonia
Development of eudaimonia requires greater parental investment

Question 8

Study 2 on link with behavior of parents

Answer 8

Adult children pursued eudaimonia whether their parents only verbally endorsed eudaimonia or actually role modelled eudaimonia

Question 9

Complementary sets of psychological processes eudaimonia vs hedonia

Answer 9

Cognitive values vs. emotional/physical pleasure
Broad focus vs self-focus
Long term perspective vs. short-term perspective
Investing vs. stocking up

Question 10

Why is eudaimonia good?

Answer 10

1. Gives life meaning by linking different events together into a bigger picture, making them more important and valuable.
2. It elevates individuals to a higher level of functioning
3. Builds community and civilization

Question 11

Why is hedonia good?

Answer 11

1. Getting rest, achieving a positive mental state
2. Charges up the pscyhological battery, filling the person with pleasurable experiences and memories
3. Taking a break from ongoing concerns and be able to return with a fresh perspective

Question 12

If an individual were to focus exclusively on hedonia…

Answer 12

… they would miss opportunities to build something meaningful

Question 13

If an individual were to focus exclusively on eudaimonia…

Answer 13

… it would lead to exhaustion, loss of perspective and intimate contact with the feeling that things matter

Question 14

Which is the highest good?

Answer 14

Eudaimonia is the highest path to personal fulfilment as it is pulled by values, goals, ideals and inspiration.