Classic evidence: Myers and Diener
findings
methodology & procedures
conclusions
observations
self-report Qs
subjective well-being
closed questions- qualitative data
reviews
correlations
beepers to report what there doing
sampling behaviour
relationship between variables
High SWB- more positive about good events - more negative about bad events
reviewing multiple studies- secondary research
known as meta- analysis
age
170 000 PPNs, 16 countries
equally happy- 80% satisfaction
Herzog et al (1982)- different ages, different factors contribute
gender
equally happy- 80% in men and women
Haring et al (1984)- gender accounts for 1% global well-being
race/ culture
Inglehart et al (1990)- notable differences between countries, 10% Portugal, 40% neatherlands
individualist cultures report greater SWB than collectivist cultures
Traits of happy people
high self esteem- feel good about themselves
optimism- positivity
extraversion- social people tend to be happier
culture
adaptations
values and goals
money, age, gender- don't affect happiness
religion, race, culture- do affect happiness
positive and negative events affects fade over times
longitudinal study- impact of life events only effect SWB for 3 months
some cultures see world as controllable place
some cultures emphasise on negative emotions- e.g anxiety, anger
high sense of SWB have goals
need to have ambitions to be able to strive
factors like money only matter if related to goals
Evaluation
effectivness
ethics