Myers and Diener

Question 1

Methodology of Myers and Diener

Answer 1

Literature review

Question 2

What range of methods can be found in the studies included in the literature review?

Answer 2

Correlations, meta-analyses, observations, self-report

Question 3

In which ‘factors’ did M&D find no real difference in SWB?

Answer 3

Age, Gender, Race

Question 4

Findings regarding age and SWB

Answer 4

-No time of life is notably happier/unhappier
- No significant difference in life satisfaction across age groups

Question 5

Findings regarding sex and SWB

Answer 5

• generally, no difference
• 80% of men and 80% of women report being ‘fairly satisfied with life’
• Women are twice as vulnerable than men to depression and anxiety
• Men are fives times as vulnerable to women to alcoholism and anti-social personality disorder

Question 6

Findings regarding race and SWB

Answer 6

• generally, no difference
• ## people of different nationalities score similarly on tests of self-esteem

Question 7

Findings regarding culture and SWB

Answer 7

• Large differences found
• 10% of people in Portugal say they are ‘very happy’ compared to 40% in the Netherlands
• Collectivist cultures report lower SWB than individualistic cultures

Question 8

Findings regarding money and SWB

Answer 8

-Moderate correlations found between national wealth and wellbeing (0.67)
- In less wealthy countries, satisfaction with finances is a moderate predictor of SWB
- Those on the Forbes wealthiest list reported slightly more happiness than the average American

Question 9

Which traits are the best indicators of a ‘happy person’?

Answer 9

Self-esteem, personal control, optimism and extraversion

Question 10

Findings regarding relationships and SWB

Answer 10

• People with several intimate friends are healthier and less likely to die prematurely
• Married people are more likely to describe themselves as ‘very happy’ compared to those never married

Question 11

Findings regarding ‘flow’ and SWB

Answer 11

• People with greater work satisfaction also have greater life satisfaction
• Work should help people reach a ‘flow’ state, where one is so caught up in an activity that the mind does not wander

Question 12

Findings regarding faith and SWB

Answer 12

• Religious people report higher levels of SWB and satisfaction with life
• This rises with strength of religious affiliation
• The highly spiritual are twice as likely to say they are ‘very happy’

Question 13

What is the ‘adaptation’ conclusion of M&D’s theory of happiness?

Answer 13

The effects of positive and negative circumstances are short-lived and therefore it is the individual’s ability to adapt to these circumstances that can determine their SWB.

Question 14

What is the ‘cultural worldview’ conclusion of M&D’s theory of happiness?

Answer 14

People are predisposed to view life events based on their culture and this can have a significant impact on SWB.

Question 15

What is the ‘values and goals’ conclusion of M&D’s theory of happiness?

Answer 15

Having non-conflicting goals and making progress towards them are all predictors of SWB. Therefore, things like money are only important if they are relevant to a person’s life goals

Question 16

Other conclusions of M&D

Answer 16

• Knowing a person’s age, race, sex and income does not inform us about how happy a person is.
• new research on psychological well-being is a welcome complement to the long-standing studies of depression and anxiety, and of physical and material well-being.
  -By asking who is happy, and why, we can help people rethink their priorities and better understand how to build a world that enhances human well-being