Happiness and Subjective
Wellbeing across Nations
• Positive Psychology - Chapter 3
• Presented by: [Your Name]
• Date: [Date of Presentation]
Introduction to Happiness and
Subjective Wellbeing
• Definition of Happiness and SWB:
• - Happiness: Overall experience of pleasure,
contentment, and meaning.
• - SWB: Individuals' self-assessment of life
satisfaction, positive emotions, and low
negative emotions.
• Importance:
• - Essential for quality of life and mental health
understanding across cultures.
Concepts of Happiness
• Understanding Happiness in Psychology:
• - Happiness includes life satisfaction,
emotional health, and meaning.
• Related Concepts:
• - Includes self-actualization, contentment, and
quality of life.
• Central Role:
• - Focus on flourishing and a fulfilling life.
Subjective Wellbeing (SWB)
• Definition of SWB:
• - Combination of life satisfaction, positive
affect, and low negative affect.
• Components:
• - Life Satisfaction, Positive Affect, Negative
Affect.
• SWB’s Role:
• - Major measure of psychological health.
Measuring SWB
• SWB Measurement Tools:
• - SWLS: Satisfaction with Life Scale.
• - SHS: Subjective Happiness Scale.
• - ESM: Experience Sampling Methods for real-
time data.
• Strengths and Limitations:
• - Self-reports are simple but may have biases.
Global Happiness Surveys
• Importance of Global Surveys:
• - Global surveys provide data on SWB across
nations.
• Examples:
• - Gallup World Poll, World Values Survey.
• Insights:
• - Reflects societal influences on happiness
across cultures.
Country Comparisons in SWB
• Happiest and Unhappiest Nations:
• - High and low SWB levels by country based on
surveys.
• Factors:
• - Wealth, stability, cultural attitudes.
• Regional Variations:
• - Societal and cultural differences affect SWB.
Hedonic Adaptation
• Definition:
• - Returning to a baseline level of happiness
after life changes.
• Examples:
• - Temporary happiness increase after a
promotion.
• Implications:
• - New sources of happiness needed to
maintain SWB.
Hedonic Adaptation Prevention
Model
• Overview:
• - Model to counter hedonic adaptation.
• Methods:
• - Gratitude, mindfulness, savoring.
• Outcome:
• - Sustains positive emotions and increases
SWB.
The Role of Choice in Wellbeing
• Choice and Wellbeing:
• - Too many choices can lead to stress, known
as the 'paradox of choice.'
• SWB Impact:
• - Excessive choice can lead to regret.
• Balance:
• - Finding balance in options enhances
happiness.
Correlates of Happiness
• Main Predictors:
• - Income, health, relationships.
• Social Support:
• - Strong relationships enhance SWB.
• Income Role:
• - Psychological factors often outweigh income
once basic needs are met.
The 'Ladder of Life' Scale
• Cantril Self-Anchoring Striving Scale:
• - Individuals rank life on a scale from 0-10.
• Cross-Cultural Use:
• - Used globally to assess life satisfaction.
• Interpretation:
• - Provides insight into perceived life quality.
Economic Factors and SWB
• Income and SWB Relationship:
• - Happiness increases with income to an
extent.
• Wealthier Nations:
• - Higher GDP often correlates with higher
SWB.
• Contextual Differences:
• - Income affects SWB more significantly in
poorer countries.
Social Relationships and Happiness
• Importance of Relationships:
• - Strong social ties are key to SWB.
• Types of Support:
• - Emotional and practical support both
enhance wellbeing.
• Positive Affect:
• - Social interaction is a major predictor of
happiness.
Positive Psychology Interventions
• Introduction to Interventions:
• - Techniques like gratitude, savoring, and
mindfulness.
• Application:
• - Encourage self-awareness and positivity.
• Benefits:
• - Long-term use has been shown to enhance
wellbeing.
Personal Development
Interventions
• Diener’s AIM Approach:
• - Attention, Interpretation, Memory (AIM) to
improve SWB.
• SWB Impact:
• - Builds resilience and life satisfaction over
time.
Five Essential Elements of
Wellbeing
• Five Elements (Rath & Harter):
• - Career, Social, Financial, Physical, Community
Wellbeing.
• Balanced Wellbeing:
• - Engaging in each area promotes a fulfilling
life.
Happiness Across Different Age
Groups
• Age and SWB:
• - Happiness levels vary across life stages.
• Factors by Age:
• - Work, family, and social roles.
• Findings:
• - SWB often increases in older adulthood as
focus shifts to meaningful relationships.
Summary of Key Points
• Recap:
• - Definitions, measurement tools, SWB
predictors, and cultural impact.
• Cultural Influence:
• - Social norms affect happiness perceptions.
• Life Pursuits:
• - Positive habits and relationships sustain
SWB.
Questions and Discussion
• Open Discussion:
• - Invite questions on cultural perspectives on
SWB.
• Reflection:
• - 'What does happiness mean to you?'
