Myers and Diener

Question 1

METHOD

Answer 1

• review of research on happiness
  1) interviews and questionnaires - closed questions, quantitative measure represented happiness
  2) observations - report what they are doing at any moment, beeper reminded to log and sample behaviour
  3) correlation - consider what factors co-vary with happiness
  4) reviews - some research based on multiple studies

Question 2

FINDINGS

Answer 2

AGE - all ages equally happy, but diff factors contribute to happiness
GENDER - 80% men + women satisfied with life but women 2x vulnerable to depression
ETHNICITY - african american 2x happier than european americans
MONEY - forbes rich list = 37% less happy than average american, HOWEVER bangladesh poor report higher SWB with money
RELATIONSHIPS - married happier than non married (39% vs 24%)
WORK - csikszentmihayi - happier when engaged and experiencing flow
FAITH - religious americans/europeans report being happier
* traits: self esteem, personal control, optimism, extraversion

Question 3

CONC

Answer 3

• effects of positive/negative events fade e.g. lottery = short happiness
• cultural attitudes = interpret events differently
• happy people = close relationships, enjoy work, religious