Happiness psychology Prepared by Eglė Vaškelytė, Ps

Content: What is happiness psychology? The happy personality Optimists and depression Happiness and friendship Intrinsic goals and happiness Money and happiness Extroverts and happiness Happiness and longer life Happiness among older Europeans Comparing ourselves to others Counting kindness Positive illusions

What is happiness psychology? Happiness psychology is the study of human behavior and happiness. There are secrets to getting and staying happy. Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. – Abraham Lincoln

The happy personality Happy people tend to be optimists: they overstate the positive impact of positive events. For example: They know they can get themselves a second chance. Most of the time they find themselves asking a positive “How?”. Their main motto is "Life is not fair, but I’m going to make the best of it and learn to be on the winning side."

Optimists and depression Both men and women are more likely to be depressed and are less happy around the age of 44. Optimists are less likely to suffer from depression, but when they do, depression does not last long.

Most people are somewhere in the middle: at different times of their lives, they move between the two ends of the scale, from being to pessimistic or to optimistic.

Happiness and friendship A person doesn’t need a large number of friends to be happy – he needs one the best friend.

Intrinsic goals and happiness Intrinsic goals contribute more to well-being than external goals.

Money and happiness Why do people want more money if it does not contribute to person’s happiness? 1.They do not realize more money will not raise their well-being; 2.People enjoy the goal get higher incomes; 3.Money produces short-term benefits; 4.People need to buy things to gain status.

Extroverts and happiness Extroverts tend to be happier both in short-term and long- term.

Happiness and longer life Happiness helps you live longer.

Happiness among older Europeans Older people living alone are more likely to be depressed, lonely and unhappy; Those living with a relative or friend were more likely to be lonely than those living with a spouse.

Comparing ourselves to others In some cases, comparing makes us feel better, but also it can cause sadness, depression or anger.

Counting kindness People can become happier and more grateful by simply counting acts of kindness for one week.

Positive illusions Positive, idealized illusions give greater satisfaction than thinking in terms of “reality”.

Conclusions Happy people tend to be optimists and are less likely to suffer from depression. Happiness is bigger than: -we have one the best friend; -our goals are intrinsic; -we do not compare ourselves with others; -we count kindness and have positive illusions; -we are living with other people; Money does not raise our well-being.

References: Linda L. Davidoff “Introduction to psychology”, PLEASURE, JOY, AND HAPPINESS -science-of-happiness.htmlhttp://harvardmagazine.com/2007/01/the -science-of-happiness.html psychology.suite101.com/article.cfm/psych ology_of_happinesshttp://behavioural- psychology.suite101.com/article.cfm/psych ology_of_happiness iness/ iness/

Pictures: riendship_graphic_03.gifwww.klase.lt/.../200708/7235_fullsize.jpg riendship_graphic_03.gif 1_small.jpgwww.getacoach.co.nz/images/Oct4/wealth 1_small.jpg rt.jpgwww.businessxteam.com/.../images/introve rt.jpg es/is... es/is singles.com/.../kindness.jpgwww.inspiration-for- singles.com/.../kindness.jpg