happiness pt. 1 Flashcards
What are the three main types of happiness in psychology?
Hedonic happiness (pleasure and life satisfaction)
Eudaimonic happiness (personal growth and meaning)
Social happiness (connection and community)
What is Hedonic happiness?
A focus on pleasure, enjoyment, and the absence of pain. It is linked to life satisfaction and positive emotions.
What is Eudaimonic happiness?
A sense of fulfillment that comes from meaning, purpose, and self-actualization rather than pleasure.
How does Social happiness contribute to well-being?
It comes from meaningful relationships, social support, and feeling connected to a community.
What are some key factors influencing happiness?
Genetics (about 50%)
Life circumstances (about 10%)
Intentional activities and mindset (about 40%)
What role does gratitude play in happiness?
Practicing gratitude increases positive emotions, reduces stress, and strengthens relationships.
What is the Happiness Set Point Theory?
The idea that each person has a genetically determined baseline level of happiness that they tend to return to after life events.
How does money affect happiness?
Money increases happiness up to a certain point (covering basic needs), but beyond that, its impact is limited.
What is the PERMA Model of happiness?
Positive Emotions
Engagement
Relationships
Meaning
Accomplishment
What is Flow and how does it relate to happiness?
A state of deep engagement where a person is fully immersed in an activity, leading to a sense of joy and fulfillment.
What is the Happiness Set Point Theory?
It suggests that people have a genetically determined baseline level of happiness that they tend to return to after positive or negative life events.
How does gratitude influence happiness?
Practicing gratitude increases positive emotions, strengthens relationships, and reduces stress.
What is the general definition of happiness?
A subjective state of well-being that includes positive emotions, life satisfaction, and a sense of purpose.
What are the three key components of happiness?
Emotional well-being (positive emotions, absence of negative emotions)
Life satisfaction (evaluation of one’s life overall)
Psychological well-being (meaning, purpose, personal growth)
What are the major theories of happiness?
Hedonic Theory: Focuses on pleasure and avoidance of pain.
Eudaimonic Theory: Emphasizes meaning, purpose, and self-actualization.
Set-Point Theory: Suggests people have a baseline level of happiness.
What are the main factors that influence happiness?
Genetics (accounts for ~50%)
Life circumstances (e.g., income, relationships, health)
Intentional activities (e.g., gratitude, mindfulness, social connections)
How does culture impact happiness?
Cultural values influence happiness definitions.
Individualistic cultures (e.g., U.S., Western Europe): Focus on personal achievements and autonomy.
Collectivistic cultures (e.g., East Asia, Latin America): Emphasize social harmony and relationships.
Does money buy happiness?
To an extent—basic financial security is crucial, but excessive wealth has diminishing returns on happiness.
How do relationships impact happiness?
Strong social connections are one of the most significant predictors of happiness and well-being.
What psychological strategies can boost happiness?
Practicing gratitude
Engaging in mindfulness and meditation
Setting and achieving meaningful goals
Fostering social relationships
What is the connection between happiness and health?
Happier people tend to have better physical health, lower stress, and longer lifespans.
How is happiness measured?
Self-report surveys (e.g., Subjective Well-Being Scale)
Physiological indicators (e.g., cortisol levels, brain activity)
Behavioral observations
What is hedonic adaptation?
The tendency to return to a baseline level of happiness after positive or negative life events.
How does gratitude impact happiness?
Practicing gratitude increases positive emotions, reduces stress, and enhances well-being.
What is the relationship between mindfulness and happiness?
Mindfulness reduces stress and increases present-moment awareness, which contributes to greater well-being.
What is the happiness paradox?
The phenomenon where societies become wealthier but do not experience proportional increases in happiness.
How does social media affect happiness?
Social media can both enhance and reduce happiness, depending on usage patterns. Excessive comparison often leads to lower life satisfaction.
Why is purpose important for happiness?
Having a sense of purpose increases motivation, resilience, and life satisfaction.
What have long-term studies found about happines
Strong relationships, meaningful work, and good health contribute most to sustained happiness.
How does happiness change with age?
Happiness tends to follow a U-shaped curve, dipping in midlife and increasing in later years.
How can happiness research be applied in real life?
Public policy (e.g., well-being indexes, mental health support)
Workplace improvements (e.g., positive work environments)
Personal habits (e.g., self-care, gratitude practices)
