Study Unit 3 Flashcards
1
Q
Influence of Money on subjective well-being
A
- people living in countries with higher per capita gross domestic product (GDP) score higher on subjective well being than those living in low income countries
- correlation is strongest for those living in poverty or who have low levels of personal income
- once basic needs are met, increased income has a smaller effect on subjective well-being
- having more money or material possessions increase life satisfaction more than it does positive affect
- wanting money can have negative affects on life satisfaction and positive affect if we prioritise material possessions and money above interpersonal relationships
- prosocial spending increases subjective well-being
2
Q
Influence of Sociometric status on subjective well-being
A
- the respect and admiration we receive from groups we regularly engage with matters more than socioeconomic status
- local ladder effect suggests that those who are held in high esteem by friends, colleagues and neighbours may have a higher standing and thus experience higher levels of subjective well-being
3
Q
Influence of Religion on subjective well-being
A
- the relationship between religion and subjective well-being seem to be influenced by other variables that include social support, coping, meaning in life and regulation of emotion
- often provides an explanation for the world as well as a rationale for existence, thereby contributing to meaning in life
- more strongly associated with life satisfaction rather than the affective component
4
Q
Influence of Life Circumstances on subjective well-being
A
- people who live in countries where both social and material quality of life are bad score lower on life satisfaction
5
Q
Benefits of high-level subjective well-being
A
- higher levels of positive affect seem to be related to longevity, and those who experience more positive emotions are more likely to live longer because they are protected from various illnesses
- they found an association between longevity and how often words that reflect social roles or social integration are used
- those with many friends and family members tend to experience higher subjective well-being; and those who experience higher subjective well-being tend to have more positive interpersonal interactions
- more likely to get married, less likely to get divorced
- higher productivity and work quality
- less likely to take sick leave and have lower health care costs
- higher income and career success
- more persuaded to do community work or volunteering
- more confidence in the government, stronger support for democracy and more tolerance toward immigrants
6
Q
Hedonic set point
A
- as individuals we are born with a certain disposition to a specific level of happiness
- determined by genetic and personality factors
7
Q
Hedonic adaptation
A
- after experiencing major life events that bring about intense positive or negative emotions we eventually return to our biologically level of life satisfaction
- thus it only temporarily affects our overall happiness
8
Q
Hedonic treadmill
A
- we briefly react to positive or negative events, but will soon return to neutral levels of happiness
- we will continue to experience the same level of happiness despite efforts to become happier
9
Q
Is pursuing happiness worthwhile?
A
- when we feel compelled to be happy or see happiness as the absence of negative emotions, it could cause greater unhappiness
- it is important to consider the mechanism of hedonic adaptation
- Hedonic Adaption Prevention (HAP) model proposes that we can derive more from positive events over a longer period of time when we continue to focus on the positive emotions we associate with those events and the resulting positive change
- sharing positive events or good news with others can prevent adaptation
- important to engage in activities that feel authentic
- prioritise life around activities that increase positivity, this could increase happiness in the long run
