1. ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy.’ -a pilot study into student subjective happiness

3. What is ‘Happiness’?

4. “Happiness is love. Full stop.”

5. “…the scientific study of the strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive.”

6. …life satisfaction and having more positive emotions than negative emotions.

8. Why does Happiness matter?

10. 1. Happy people on average have stronger immune systems. 2. Happy people are more creative. 3. Happy people are better citizens at work. 4. Happy people are more successful. 5. Happy people do better in social relationships. 6. Happy people are better able to cope with difficult situations. 7. Happy people like themselves and other people more, and others like them in return. 8. Judgment and decision making. Not so good!

12. “…happy students learn better than unhappy students…. and happy people are rarely mean, violent, or cruel” (p. 2).

13. Student happiness should be a major aim of education.

14. How do we measure Happiness?

15. The Subjective Happiness Scale questionnaire: For each of the following statements and/or questions, please circle the point on the scale that you feel is most appropriate in describing you. 1. In general, I consider myself: 1 2 3 4 56 7 not a a very very happy happy person

16. The Subjective Happiness Scale questionnaire: For each of the following statements and/or questions, please circle the point on the scale that you feel is most appropriate in describing you. 2. Compared with most of my peers, I consider myself: 1 2 3 4 56 7 less more happy

17. The Subjective Happiness Scale questionnaire: For each of the following statements and/or questions, please circle the point on the scale that you feel is most appropriate in describing you. 3. Some people are generally very happy. They enjoy life regardless of what is going on, getting the most out of everything. To what extent does this characterisation describe you?: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 not at a great all deal

18. Lyubomirsky, S., & Lepper, H. S. (1999). A measure of subjective happiness: Preliminary reliability and construct validation. Social Indicators Research, 46, 137-155. The Subjective Happiness Scale questionnaire: For each of the following statements and/or questions, please circle the point on the scale that you feel is most appropriate in describing you. 4. Some people are generally not very happy. Although they are not depressed, they never seem as happy as they might be. To what extent does this characterisation describe you?: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 not at a great all deal

20. What should we do with this data?

22. A teaching tool for the future?

23. Engagement and meaning make the most difference to living a happy life

24. Student happiness should be a major aim of education.

26. richard.finn@whitireia.ac.nz An invitation to be part of a larger study

27. Have a happy day.