Teaching Happiness
Definitions and Explanations:
People tend to report themselves as happy. One third of Americans say they are very happy, with only one in ten saying they are "not too happy." Most describe themselves as being "pretty happy." Some possible explanations for these levels of happiness:
Tendency to be agreeable - People over-report good things. This phenomenon can be seen in survey research with people exhibiting social desirability - the desire to look good for others. Also, demand characteristics come into play when people want to give the researchers what they think they are looking for.
People's momentary moods - In positive moods, people view the world with a "rose-colored mirror" in that they are positive in viewing themselves but are less benign in their views of others (Sigmon and Snyder, 1993). In negative moods, people see the world as being ugly, depressing, and hostile.
Qualities of happy people include:
Self-esteem - Self-esteem is a self-referential mood that reflects one's appraisal of success or failure in important life goal pursuits. People who believe themselves to be relatively competent report being happier, thus they do not just "feel good about themselves," but "feel good about themselves for having just succeeded." However, high, unwarranted self-esteem can lead to problems such as divorce and violence.
Personal control - People who have a sense of personal control in their lives are happier.
Optimism - People who believe bad situations are not their fault, do not last forever, and do not spread to other aspects of their life are happier.
Extraversion - Extraverts are more involved with people, have a larger circle of friends, engage more often in rewarding activities, experience more affection, and have more social support. Extraverts tend to be more cheerful and high-spirited as well.
Hope - People who exhibit high levels of hope tend to be happier as they pursue goals and challenges.
Landmark Studies and Suggested Readings:
Buss, D. M. (2000) The evolution of happiness. American Psychologist, 55, 15-23.
Myers, D. G. (2000) The funds, friends, and faith of happy people. American Psychologist, 55, 56-67.
Myers, D. G. (1992). The pursuit of happiness: Discovering the pathway to fulfillment, well-being, and enduring personal joy. New York: Avon.
Myers, D. G. (2000). Research-based suggestions for a happier life. Holland, Michigan: Hope College: http://www.davidmyers.org/happiness/research.html
Myers, D. G., & Diener, E. (1995). Who is happy? Psychological Science, 6, 10-19.