Paradox Of Influence Research Paper
Paradox of Affluence
Jessica Hydro
PSY/220
May 3, 2015
Courtney Walden
Paradox of Affluence
The term “Paradox of Affluence” refers to the disparities between a person’s material well-being and their psychosocial well-being, which derived from David Myers’ book The Paradox of Affluence: Spiritual Hunger in an Age of Plenty. (Baumgardner & Crothers, 2009, 99) Over a span of 40 to 50 years, material affluence and a person’s well-being has drifted farther apart. (Baumgardner & Crothers, 2009, 100) In today’s society, people’s average income has nearly tripled since 1950; they are buying more vehicles, more watercrafts and spending way more money on eating out. Although there is a huge influx in material affluence, national surveys reveal …show more content…
The correlation of income and well-being is moderate in poorer families, whereas the correlation is low or non-significant within wealthy families. This could be a result of poorer people being more stressed and frustrated with their lives due to a lack of income, so when their income finally increases their happiness and well-being improves. Time magazine conducted a survey in the United States, which found that happiness and income both had increased in tandem until a person’s income had reached $50,000. (Baumgardner & Crothers, 2009, 103) Once it reached this limit and surpassed it, a person’s happiness no longer was affected by the inclining income. Some believe, when a person’s basic needs, such as nutrition, health care, sanitation and housing, are finally met financially then their source of happiness then shifts from income to other aspects of life. (Baumgardner & Crothers, 2009, 103-105) Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs is based off the same theory. Maslow believed and argued that a person’s motivation to achieve higher needs, such as personal fulfillment, self-expression and reaching individual potentials, is pushed aside until their basic needs are met. (Baumgardner & Crothers, 2009, 105) People are happier when their basic needs are being met financially, however it is harder to gain happiness when a person’s income continues
Jessica Hydro
PSY/220
May 3, 2015
Courtney Walden
Paradox of Affluence
The term “Paradox of Affluence” refers to the disparities between a person’s material well-being and their psychosocial well-being, which derived from David Myers’ book The Paradox of Affluence: Spiritual Hunger in an Age of Plenty. (Baumgardner & Crothers, 2009, 99) Over a span of 40 to 50 years, material affluence and a person’s well-being has drifted farther apart. (Baumgardner & Crothers, 2009, 100) In today’s society, people’s average income has nearly tripled since 1950; they are buying more vehicles, more watercrafts and spending way more money on eating out. Although there is a huge influx in material affluence, national surveys reveal …show more content…
The correlation of income and well-being is moderate in poorer families, whereas the correlation is low or non-significant within wealthy families. This could be a result of poorer people being more stressed and frustrated with their lives due to a lack of income, so when their income finally increases their happiness and well-being improves. Time magazine conducted a survey in the United States, which found that happiness and income both had increased in tandem until a person’s income had reached $50,000. (Baumgardner & Crothers, 2009, 103) Once it reached this limit and surpassed it, a person’s happiness no longer was affected by the inclining income. Some believe, when a person’s basic needs, such as nutrition, health care, sanitation and housing, are finally met financially then their source of happiness then shifts from income to other aspects of life. (Baumgardner & Crothers, 2009, 103-105) Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs is based off the same theory. Maslow believed and argued that a person’s motivation to achieve higher needs, such as personal fulfillment, self-expression and reaching individual potentials, is pushed aside until their basic needs are met. (Baumgardner & Crothers, 2009, 105) People are happier when their basic needs are being met financially, however it is harder to gain happiness when a person’s income continues