The evolution of happiness

Question 1

Nesse (2004) the elusiveness of happiness

Answer 1

Happiness and unhappiness are mechanisms that influence us to act in the interest of our genes. Happiness emerges when one is making good progress towards his/her life goals. Excessive pursuit of it is, paradoxically, likely to lead to unhappiness

Question 2

Loewenstein (1999)

Answer 2

Individual levels of well-being are stable over the lifespan, even events like winning the lottery have relatively small and temporary effects

Question 3

Danger of positive emotions

Answer 3

Mania = happiness is infectious. But, = inability to focus or accomplish a task, less respect for others. Hypo-mania is a milder form and often leads to substantial achievement - increase reproductive success?

Question 4

Dawkins

Answer 4

As you learn more about evolution, you go from being agnostic to atheist. Perhaps the increased knowledge of science and technology and decreased involvement of the church in society has led to people being more existentially unhappy: no higher purpose to life, anything bad that happens will not be rivalled by happiness in the afterlife…

Question 5

Size and duration of modern goals accounts for pathology

Answer 5

As social groups have increased, requirements for success have escalated. So big rewards require a lifetime devoted to one goal. We weren’t designed for such long efforts and large goals that may have no satisfactory allternative