Psychologists now know what makes people happy

[Vahla]

Psychologists now know what makes people happy

"Materialism is toxic for happiness," says University of Illinois psychologist Ed Diener. Even rich materialists aren't as happy as those who care less about getting and spending.

Pretty great article and touches on several attitudes that Mustachians seem innately acquire as they grow their 'stache.

*edit*
Whoops, just realized it's an old article.  Still a good read though!

[Jamesqf]

The problem, as with MMM's post on optimism, is that they're often confusing cause and effect.  Are their subjects happy because they're surrounded by friends, or surrounded by friends because they're happy?

[arebelspy]

Are their subjects happy because they're surrounded by friends, or surrounded by friends because they're happy?

Yes.

[velocistar237]

Are their subjects happy because they're surrounded by friends, or surrounded by friends because they're happy?

Yes.

These things are often feedback loops.

confusing cause and effect

Maybe, maybe not. I think these scientists are much more aware of the trouble of proving causation in their particular field than we are. Seligman has carried out experiments where people told to do something particular, e.g., keep a gratitude journal, score higher on well-being surveys than the control group. And it's not like Seligman is a pie-in-the-sky guy:

Everyone has a "set point" for happiness, just as they do for weight, Seligman says. People can improve or hinder their well-being, but they aren't likely to take long leaps in either direction from their set point.

Why don't you just try it out? Take one of the things in the article and see if it has a positive effect on you.

[James]

I've over half way through the book Happiness, Unlocking the Misteries of Psychological Wealth by the Dieners.  It's really fascinating what the research shows about happiness, some obvious and expected, some surprising.  Painfully the answer is almost always "it depends", it's hard to condense the research into absolutes.  But it has been very helpful in understanding my own happiness level and what I need to do to raise it.