Scientists tackle "Lasting Happiness"; Why does LifeTwo care?

Happiness is an extremely difficult area to study. Whether because the inherent problems in objectively defining it or the fact that it is so subject by its very nature. Even if you get past the definition, being able to isolate factors causing happiness (as opposed to being caused by happiness) is a significant challenge.

But happiness is so important to our very being that it is worthy of the effort. Martin E.P. Seligman is doing so under the new science of positive psychology, and he is not alone and skilled psychologists (and even economists) storied universities are researching the problem.

Marina Krakovsky, who often writes about experimental psychology, has tracked down three psychologists who are making great strides in the area. Her thorough article, "The Science of Lasting Happiness" can be found at Scientific American and is recommended reading.

These psychologists work is in many ways as important as scientists studying diseases or drug effectiveness or any other form of "traditional" medicine. Why? Because happiness (or at least the pursuit of not being unhappy) is how we spend just about every waking hour. Once our most basic needs are met the rest of our effort goes into making us happy (or perhaps others happy but that also makes us happy). And if that seems to hedonistic to you, there is "growing evidence that positive emotions such as happiness are linked to good health and increased longevity."

Note the use of the word "lasting" in Krakovsky's article title. Being able to be happy over an extended period is the real challenge. That is because people adapt to improved situations. What makes us initially very happy at some point becomes the norm. So getting a promotion, raise, bigger house or new car is unlikely to bring anyone long-term happiness, and this is where the real research is digging in. (Even a few authors are tackling the question.)

Where does this leave you and your own pursuit of happiness?

Contemporary understanding of happiness believes that a material portion of your outlook is largely set (this is the happiness "set point" theory and you can blame genetics for that) and surprisingly life circumstances generally play a smallish role. This leaves a lot of room to improve your chances to experience the type of life that we all hope for. This is the part that is up to you. Whatever path you take to achieve it understand that your actions will constantly have to evolve since you will be constantly adapting to any improvements in your life.

By the way, Marina Krakovsky is also the author of "#24 in 100 Top Science Stories of 2005: Why Stupid People Usually Die Young". Click here.

For a slightly different take on "Set Point Theory of Happiness" read this LifeTwo post

tags: positive outlook hedonic adaptation