PSY336H1 Chapter Notes - Chapter N/A: Hedonic Treadmill, Pessimism, Negative Affectivity
Document Summary
Pursuing happiness: the architecture of sustainable change summary. Proposed that a person"s chronic happiness level is governed by 3 factors: a genetically determined set point for happiness, happiness-relevant circumstantial factors, and happiness-relevant activities and practices. Best to target activity category to increase happiness. Happy people tend to have tangible benefits. Happy people tend to be more co-operative. Researchers still know little about how to change well-being. Pessimism can be: genetically determined to have a set point (may be as high as 80%, though 50% is more accepted), personality determined, and due to a hedonic treadmill. People tend to return to their set baseline over time despite minor changes due to life events. Hedonic treadmill suggests that gains are only temporary as human beings are quick to adapt and make something a baseline. By practicing certain virtues (forgiveness, etc. ) we can increase well-being. Being optimistic, being motivated towards intrinsic goals, avoiding comparisons, etc. can increase well-being.
