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Happiness and Subjective Wellbeing

What is Happiness?

Surveys have asked people what is meant by happiness, and the usual responses fall within three domains: a state of joy or other positive experiences; being satisfied with one’s life; the absence of depression or other negative experiences.

Wellbeing on the other hand tends to evoke a more holistic approach and looks less at positive and negative experiences, incorporating instead other factors including; physical health problems, social relationships, environmental stressors, income etc.

Within the positive psychology literature happiness is often used synonymously with the scientific term ‘Subjective wellbeing’. In this sense they are used interchangeably. Subjective wellbeing, however, refers to people’s evaluation of their lives. How they appraise their lives through their thoughts and feelings.

Discover More:

There are many myths about what will make us happy, the cards below have true or false statements on then that explore a few of these myths. When you have decided whether the statement is true or false, select or click + icon below to reveal the answer.

After having our basic needs met, money has a small effect on our overall happiness.

True. This is the case unless you’re living in poverty or in a poor country, in those circumstances money does have a positive impact on happiness.

Across society, having children leads to an overall increase in parents happiness.

False. Choosing to be a parent or not, having children has no significant association with life satisfaction and subjective wellbeing unless it is not what you wanted.

Happier individuals tend to be healthier and live longer.

True. Greater levels of life satisfaction are also associated to better physical and mental health.

Having a purpose or long term goal in life is linked to happiness.

True. Having meaning, purpose or long term goals generates positive thoughts about the present and future and our reasons for doing what we do, giving value to our day-to-day life.

Witnessing others perform good deeds makes us want to carry out a good deed ourselves.

True. People who witness others perform good deeds experience an emotion called ‘elevation’ and this motivates them to perform their own good deeds.

Winning the lottery makes you happier than before.

True. Yes slightly, although people adapt to situations and events, whether they are a good or bad thing. They become accustomed to them and over time they exert less influence on wellbeing.

Important:
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You might want to make notes at this point. These may help you remember things, work out what you want or see how much you’ve changed if you read them in a few years’ time.