The term hedonism implies that pleasure is the most important thing in life (Merriam-Webster, 2016). Most of us spend our lives in pursuit of things that we find pleasant, thereby having a rich and happy existence. This research paper evaluates various different methods for achieving long-lasting, sustainable pleasure in life. In America we are all guaranteed life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. For as many people there are in this country there is an equal number of differing opinions of what a happy life is. Why are we only guaranteed a shot at being happy? Why is bliss not served on a silver platter for every citizen in the home of the red, white, and blue? Is a blissful life even attainable? Is prosperity and material success the …show more content…
A series of polls at the University of California revealed that financial clout was more desirable than having a successful marriage, graduating college, or having the ability to help other people (Grant, 2005). Research points to the contrary however, it shows that people in impoverished countries are no less happy than those in wealthier lands. As long as one’s basic needs are satisfied the relationship between money and happiness appears to be weak (Grant, 2005). With instances of accelerated wealth as in winning the lottery, short term happiness seems to take place (Grant, 2005). Over the long-term negative events appear to become more likely, such as an increase in divorce and rates of alcoholism. In many cases multi-million-dollar lotto winners are bankrupt a decade later. Financial planner Elisabeth Plax defines happiness as one’s ability to achieve inner peace (Grant, 2005).
Positive Psychology Positive psychology is the study of positive emotions that are already present within a person. This study stresses the significance of engaging in activities as well as with our communities (Harvard Health Communities, 2013). Mental health care used to focus solely on treating the bad stuff, rather than accentuating the innate good
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Buddhist’s are of the belief that psychological liberation is attainable through the realization of the interrelatedness of all Earthly things and the acceptance of change as a surety. Christianity, Judaism and Islam feel as though God’s will be the sole pathway to happiness (Harvard Health Communities, 2013).
Positive Psychology as a Prevention
A few of the basic tenets in building a successful life through positive psychology include the following: courage, finding purpose, future mindedness, proper perspective when evaluating our problems, ability to be joyous, realism, optimism, rationality, insightfulness and honesty (Seligman, 2005). Based upon those basic building blocks; prevention of tragedies such as Schizophrenia, violence, and substance abuse are potentially avoidable. How is this to be accomplished? By reaffirming competency rather than eradicating weakness and mental illness (Seligman, 2005).
What Role Does Gratitude
The Socratic Seminar that took place on October 9th revolved around the topic of lotteries and if money can make you happy. One article that I happened to focus on was “Why money can’t buy you happiness” by Tom Stafford. The article discusses how winning the lottery can show that people aren’t truly happy with it and why we might be bad at knowing what gives us true satisfaction in the first place. A point I brought up during the seminar was in regards to the last statement in the article, “Money doesn’t buy you happiness, and part of the reason for that might be that money itself distracts us from what we really enjoy.” I questioned if money makes us distracted from what we enjoy, what could help us focus on what we do enjoy? A peer responded
A well-known expression is that money can’t buy happiness, yet people fantasize of winning the lottery, living in their dream house, and possessing enough tangible objects to feel satisfied with their lives. Most are under the preconceived notion that the absence of wealth and power translates to hardship and despair. This, however, is not the case, because a self-effacing lifestyle is not an indication of a lower quality of life, and often is better than one of great fortune. People yearn to have the financial independence and capabilities of those in higher ranking positions, and are willing to abandon their morals and own personal well-being if it means being successful. It seems that by reaching a level of wealth in which money is no longer
A fair criticism of the first one hundred years of the science of psychology is that the emphasis has been on addressing what makes life unbearable-mental illness, anxiety, neurosis, stress and so on, as stressed by Sligman & Cziakzemtmihalyi, 2000; see also Jahoda, 1958. (Kaiser & Overfield, 2011) Positive Psychology focuses on the good that could possibly increase a person’s quality of life. Positive Psychology a growing utilization in the workplace. Thus the development of strength-based leadership.
“Seligman (1998) noted positive psychology’s focus is to make the lives of all people rewarding and to build positive experiences”(Costello & Stone, 2012). His concern and main focus was to train and support staff, faculty, and administrators of positive psychology approaches and overall, helping their students grow as learn...
One reason described to be a cause of happiness is income. Don Peck and Ross Douthat indicate how, “National income appears to be one of the best single predictors of overall well-being, explaining perhaps 40 percent of the difference in contentment among nations” (352). With this statement, comes the explanation of how income can influence happiness in adults who strive to earn a living. Research illustrates how, “For individual countries, with few exceptions, self-reported happiness has increased as incomes have risen” (Douthat 352). While these two statements provide sufficient evidence for the reason of income bringing happiness, income itself is not relevant.
In the United States 20% of the adult population report that they are living a flourishing life (Keyes, 2002). However, a high percentage reports feeling as if they are ‘‘stuck’’ or ‘‘want more’’ and are yet not diagnosable with a mental disorder (Fredrickson, 2008). Because happiness has been found to be the source of many desirable life outcomes e.g. career success, marriage, and health, it is of importance to understand, how languishing individuals can reach this ideal state: How can well-being be enhanced and misery reduced (Lyubomirsky, King, & Diener, 2005). Over the past decade, research in the field of positive psychology has emerged to provide evidence-based methods to increase an individual’s psychological well-being, through so called positive psychology interventions (PPI’s). PPI’s are treatment methods or intentional activities used to promote positive feelings or behaviour. PPI’s vary from writing gratitude letters, practicing optimistic thinking and replaying positive experiences. A meta-analysis of 51 independent PPI studies demonstrated significant results in the effectiveness of PPI’s increasing well-being (49 studies; r = .29) (Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009).
Positive psychology is defined as a field of psychological theory and research which centers upon the psychological states, personal characteristics and strengths, and cultural institutions which make living most valuable (Psychology Dictionary, n.d.). Positive psychology relies on humans taking the brighter side of life and moving through time with kindness, patience, and the ability to forgive and pursue life to the fullest. Positive psychology is having a positive mindset. People having a positive mindset will be healthier than someone who is always negative.
It seems only natural that happiness should flow from having more money. Even if they don’t admit it, people still behave as though it were true. More money means you can have what you want and do what you want. The house you dream of? It’s yours. The new car you desire? Here are the keys. The freedom to enjoy your favourite pastimes? Here’s your racket, the court is down there, just past the pool.
Richard S. Lazarus (2003) Target Article: Does the Positive Psychology Movement Have Legs?, Psychological Inquiry: An International Journal for the advancement of Psychological Theory, 14:2,93-109, DOI: 10.1207/S15327965PLI1402_02
..., a person who earns $25,000 is happier than a person who makes $125,000 and an employee who makes $500,000 is only slightly happier than someone who makes $55,000. Lastly, there are more important things in life that and make you happy, for example, friends. They don’t come with a price tag, and if they do, you definitely need new friends. Money won’t make you happy since good times can’t be bought. You don’t need a fancy vacation to have a good time; it’s just a matter of who you spend it with. Over the years, humans have blown the value of money way out of proportion. People make it seem like if you’re not filthy rich, then you won’t live a good life but it’s not true. You can lack money and yet still live a perfect, happy life.
“The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude” by Oprah Winfrey which shows the power that people have over their minds and their actions. Recently there have been numerous developments in the field of positive psychology. Positive psychology depends on how we decide to frame the world around us as well as, can be controlled by how we choose to see our lives and everything around us in a positive light or a negative light. Additionally, this process of reframing things to reflect everything in a positive manner is important for people to thrive and be motivated to achieve their goals. However, when it comes to mental disorders there is only so much a person can do as abnormal mental states are definite in their diagnosis and understanding of the mental disorder whereas, in positive psychology whether or not a person is ill does not play a factor rather positive psychologists try and better society as a whole. As a result, a person can be diagnosed with a mental disorder through observed symptoms whereas, in positive psychology it is more difficult as diagnosing true happiness is a challenge.
Although it has been said that money is the root of all evil, many people actually believe that they would be happier if they were wealthier. Could this be correct? This essay will support the thesis that not only does the pursuit of wealth not lead to happiness; it may actually make us unhappy.
The question of whether money buys happiness and how we choose to answer this question has significant implications in our lives because it directly affects our choices. Most of us base our choices on the amount of money they will result in. We compromise our integrity to demanding bosses in the hope of getting a promotion or a large bonus. We pick college majors based on their monetary value rather than our interest because we believe the extra money will make us hap...
I never really thought the expression, “money can’t buy happiness”, was true. As an infant, just by observing the people around me, I observed when they would obtain money and a huge grin would spread across their face, the corners of their smile spreading from ear to ear. Whenever I would see that grin and a person’s face light up at the sight of a crisp, green bill it would make me believe that I had proved the famous expression wrong. Now that I’ve grown up and matured, my idea of that expression has changed. As of now, I am able to reflect on life more and look deeper into things and particularly into people more than I was able to do years ago. My ideas about this expression changed the most though because of the money situation my family had stumbled upon because of the failing economy. I remember being younger when the economy was doing well and waking up to twenty gifts for each of my three sisters and I. We used to believe that all of those presents, brought in because of money of course, were the best part of waking up on Christmas. Of course all of those toys and material items would make a child happy; however looking back it would only make them happy if it was given to them by somebody who bought it for them with love.
When none of us has ever come across such words and formulas, none of the great personalities has ever mentioned it, then who the hell has instilled it in our minds that money brings happiness. But among this debate one question still raises its head - What is happiness? Happiness is not actually leading a luxurious life but the luxury of living a life. Happiness is not actually about expanding your business, but it lies in expanding the horizons of life. Happiness is not having a meal in the most famous restaurant but to have it with your most beloved family. It does not lie in attending honorable parties but to attend a party with honor.