Preview

money can buy you happiness

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
757 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
money can buy you happiness
Money can buy you happiness. Discuss with references to the theory and some empirical evidence on the issue.

The set point theory

According to this theory,the individual propensity to happiness is a personal trait of largely genetic origin and influenced by personality.The explanation for the stagnation of happiness is that happiness is a stochastic phenomenon.Chance distributes unequal amounts of happiness among people’s genetic codes ,leaving the average level unchanged.

The decreasing marginal utility of money. This idea- that of a progressive saturation of needs,or at least of those needs that can be satisified by marketable goods-is general and is consistent with a variety of approaches,including mainstrain growth theory.It may wvoke an image of societies that are affluent and stated with regard to material needs,but in which individuals can not buy what they truly need.This idea is compatible with a broad variety of critiques of materialism and consumerism and also with a large body of studies.mainly psychological,which emphasize the primarly importance of the quality of the relational world in which individuals live in determining their happiness.and it is further more consistent with several other explanation furnished by pshcologists and sociologists.

Adaptation

An increase in income has only temporary effects on people’s happiness because they progressively adapt to the new circumstances.This theory is often presented as the flip side of coin of one of the keys of human evooluntionary success,the elevated capacity to adapt.that which saves up from sinking into despair in the face of adversity also prevents us from elevating ourselves to a more stable,higher plane of experience under favorable circumstances.Adapation theory is some times presented in conjunction with set point theory:the effects of external circumstances on happiness are temporary and its long-term level is determined by biology and personality.However,these two the

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    The association between INCOME06 and HAPPY, is that the higher the income of the individual, the higher the general happiness of the individual is, and there is a strong positive association. The lowest percentage of “Very Happy” individuals, as well as the highest percentage of “Not too Happy’ individuals can be seen in the individuals with the lowest incomes. As the income increases, the individual indicating that they are “Very Happy” increases, whereas the individuals indicating that they are “Not too Happy” decreases.…

    • 221 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    “If you’re not happy today, then you won’t be happy tomorrow unless you take thinks into your own hands and take action” states Lyubomirsky in her excerpt from her book The How of Happiness (Lyubomirsky 185). Dr. Lyubomirsky makes an effort to explain what are the different parts that determine human happiness and how can that happiness be improved. She makes the argument that although 50% of happiness is determined by a genetic “Set Point,” an individual can still become happier through intentional activity or action, which accounts for 40% of total happiness according Sonja Lyubomirsky. In the context of self-help happiness books and philosophical arguments, Dr. Lyubomirsky goes against the grain by making the argument that genetics does…

    • 214 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Many people spend their entire lives searching for the key, to what will actually make them happy. In “Yes, Money Can Make You Happy,” written by Associate Professor Cass R. Sunstein, he studied the relationship between money and happiness, in his article he has borrows heavily from Professors Elizabeth Dunn and Professor Michael Norton, who listed five simple suggestions that demonstrate how people can spend their money and receive pleasure. Some people lead simple lives and enjoy pleasure surrounded by family and friends, while others are always be alert to new trends that promise to make their lives more enjoyable and easier. Practicing delayed gratification, will lead to extended periods of happiness. As a result of this experience, people will move from unhappy ways and will becoming more happy, generous, and remain in…

    • 996 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Geography of Bliss Essay

    • 1088 Words
    • 3 Pages

    For centuries, mankind seeks to answer the question: Can money buy happiness? Therefore psychologists are exploring the relationship between wealth and happiness for decades. They came to the conclusion that money can make people happy if it involves moving from a state of extreme poverty into the middle class, but they do not have a noticeable impact in the future. It means that people feel glad and safe when they have enough of money to satisfy daily needs. It is important to understand, what really makes people happy besides the living routine. Jarod Kintz quotes “I think the key indicator for wealth is not good grades, work ethic, or IQ. I believe it is relationships. Ask yourself two questions: How many people do I know, and how much ransom money could I get for each one? ”I think it is safe to say happiness have many aspects. The real versions of well-being that plays out every day are the ones based upon an individual experience, perception and values.…

    • 1088 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    “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.” (Dean 2008). Wealth and possessions do not equal happiness because no matter how much money and gems you have you can not buy feelings, but only comfort, also if you are working hard for more money you are experiencing more stress and negative emotions.…

    • 608 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Correlational Research

    • 1440 Words
    • 6 Pages

    One great article I found is about money and happiness: “Can Money Buy Happiness: Are Lottery Winners any Happier in The Long Run?” At first people see how happy and ecstatic people that win the lottery are on television, however, past that point, there are no details on how their life is from there on. The question of whether they are happier or not still remains. The researchers developed the study by asking two paralyzed accident victims, a control group and lottery winners about their level of happiness. “There was no statistically significant difference between the lottery winners and the control group with respect to how happy they were at this stage of their lives” (Brikman, 1978). The control group as well as the lottery winners did not give any “evidence” of how happy they are going to be in couple of years (statistically insignificant). The lottery winners did not think, judge or be concerned about how happy they will be in few years, as the accident victims did. The results were that the relationship between money and the level of happiness is not linear. The increase of money might or might not increase your happiness (depends on the events). “These findings may also suggest that happiness may be relative. We may not be able to reach a higher level of happiness as a result of winning the lottery. Winning the lottery may simply raise our…

    • 1440 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The Pursuit of Happiness

    • 14446 Words
    • 58 Pages

    University of California, San Diego The pursuit of happiness is an important goal for many people. However, surprisingly little scientific research has focused on the question of how happiness can be increased and then sustained, probably because of pessimism engendered by the concepts of genetic determinism and hedonic adaptation. Nevertheless, emerging sources of optimism exist regarding the possibility of permanent increases in happiness. Drawing on the past well-being literature, the authors propose that a person’s chronic happiness level is governed by 3 major factors: a genetically determined set point for happiness, happiness-relevant circumstantial factors, and happiness-relevant activities and practices. The authors then consider adaptation and dynamic processes to show why the activity category offers the best opportunities for sustainably increasing happiness. Finally, existing research is discussed in support of the model, including 2 preliminary happiness-increasing interventions.…

    • 14446 Words
    • 58 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    THESIS STATEMENT: Money and happiness are the contrary sides of life. Happiness is a such thing that everyone comprehends it in its own way.…

    • 286 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Paradox of Affluence

    • 254 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The money for happiness debate is one that has baffled psychological researchers for years. It is in this debate that psychologists attempt to clearly define the correlation between money and happiness; thus solving the paradox of affluence. The term paradox of affluence refers to the phenomena that some people experience in which as their income increases their subjective well being decreases or remains the same over time. Within their research, psychologist have discovered that money only has a significant happiness increasing effect on those who are considered lower income generators. This phenomena can be explained through Maslow 's hierarchy of needs which suggests that lower level needs such as food and shelter, must be addressed before one can begin to consider higher level needs such as personal fulfillment or self-expression. Lower income generators have a difficult time attaining these lower level needs, so as their income increases they experience less difficulty which increases their happiness and subjective well being. Higher income generators however, do not experience difficulty in attaining lower level needs. Their needs are not rooted in things that can be purchased such as food and shelter so increased income has no effect on their happiness (Baumgardner & Crothers, pp. 99-105, 2009). Ultimately, money only has an effect on the happiness of those whose needs can be fulfilled through purchase.…

    • 254 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Before we can examine our cynical views on happiness, we must understand what determines our happiness. According to Sonja Lyubormirsky, there are three primary types of factors that allow us to address whether it is even possible to become happier, given our strong inherent influences on happiness and how a person might take action to pursue this happiness. An individual’s happiness is first determined by her or his set point, which is the central or expected value within a person’s set range. It is genetically determined and assumed to be stable over time, immune to influence or control. The set point implies that our happiness can be increased, but focusing solely on our set point can hinder the process of obtaining happiness (Lyubormirsky117). Therefore, we look into the circumstantial factors, that is, the incidental but relatively stable facts of an…

    • 2125 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    CAN MONEY BUY HAPPINESS?

    • 617 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Good Morning respected teachers and dear friends. Can Money Guarantee Happiness? It is one of the most heavily disputed questions of all time. However if we look at it practically, we will find an immediate answer, that, YES, Money in all its splendour, is the key to happiness. Imagine being able to buy whatever you wish for- cars, palatial houses, helicopters, jet planes, a journey to space, a walk on the moon-wouldn't it give you joy & happiness, not to mention an envious social status? Definitely it would and what do you think would allow you to buy these things? The answer is, of course, MONEY! Money, thus, definitely guarantees happiness!…

    • 617 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    The idea of money buying happiness is interesting. Yes, most people feel they do need more money to be happy, but what is that "happiness" they are speaking of? If that idea means owning newer appliances than before, then money can buy you happiness. If that idea is going out to eat dinner more often, then money can buy you happiness. But, if happiness is truly living one's life to the fullest, then money cannot buy happiness. People know that this idea of happiness is materialistic and shallow, and they are quick to point it out in others, but cannot see it in themselves. Money cannot buy happiness, unless happiness is measured by possessions.…

    • 673 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Money Can Bring Happiness

    • 488 Words
    • 2 Pages

    There are people who agree with the idea that money can actually bring happiness. However, personally I do have some different ideas on that. I happen to read an article about a research on the relationship of the GDP and happiness index of a country. The result of the research was quite astonishing. Although the index of happiness does rise as the GDP per person grows on general, there are a lot of “exceptions” in that case. For example, Indonesia, despite its low income level, still earns a very high score on the happiness index. On the other hand, there are countries like Japan which performs very well on the GDP per capita, but does not score equally high on the index of happiness sheet. This brings me to my point, that money can help to gain happiness in certain ways, but simply having money does not guarantee it.…

    • 488 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Happiness and Money

    • 1593 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Can money really buy happiness? Of course it can; or can it? Happiness comes to everyone in different ways; my happiness being different than yours. People who put money before everything else are less happy than those who value love and friends more highly. Also, true happiness is to understand and believe in who you are. Despite money contributing to happiness, money can not buy true happiness. Money can’t buy true happiness because happiness comes from within you, not from anyone or from anything else. Also, money can’t buy happiness because life really isn’t about who has the fastest car, the most money, the fanciest house, or other material things. In addition, I will convince you that wanting and having material objects and money all have negative affects on humans.…

    • 1593 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Although some people may have some different opinions, they think money can buy a lot of things which can make you a better life and feel happy. I strongly disagree with this point of view and there’s several examples can prove my view.…

    • 405 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays