Premium Essay

Subjective Well-Being

In: Social Issues

Submitted By blanckman1
Words 291
Pages 2
Basic concepts in Positive Psychology

‘Subjective well-being’ is basically how people feel about their life and the quality of it. It is a mixture of a person’s feelings and emotions aligned with how that person feels about where they are in life. Most people have an ideal of where they want their life to be and what they want to accomplish. ‘Subjective well-being’ is a combination of affect balance, which has to do with emotions, feelings, and moods and life satisfaction, the way we feel about the quality of our life and the things we have accomplished. This is measured by individuals being honest in tests, studies, and surveys. The only way to judge one’s ‘subjective well-being’ is to find out from that person and ask them the questions needed.

I feel that having a machine that causes us to always be happy no matter what the situation is would make us inhuman. This ideal of happiness would fall under the hedonic concept of happiness. This would cause people to have little regard to what is going on around them. You would have no sadness, fear, frustration, and anger which would be great for a while, but we would lose our humanity. The eudaimonic concept of happiness comes from within us. It is a sense of happiness and fulfillment by what we accomplish in life. Things like having a good job, family, reaching goals we have set for ourselves, having a plan for our life and achieving what we want through hard work. There are days I would love to be hooked up to an ‘experience machine’, but I feel without the negatives in life, there is only a certain amount of happiness that can be

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Subjective Well-Being

...Living a Satisfying Life: Does Meaning in Life and Subjective Well-Being Play a Role? Lakeya Keys St. Leo University Fundamentals of Psychology/PSY 161 February 24, 2013 Dr. Shannon Farris Abstract In this paper, I will review an article done on the study of subjective well-being and its relationship with meaning in life, and if having these two things lead to a more satisfying life. In this study, the researchers employed a descriptive-predictive design in order to measure the correlation between the two variables. Researchers studied nine hundred and sixty nine college students, from different colleges in the Philippines. Three measures were administered to the students: the Meaning of Life Questionnaire, Satisfaction with life scale, and the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scale, to aid in the study. The results of this study show a correlation between meaning in life and subjective well-being. The positive relationship between these two variables, produced and overall satisfaction in living. Living a Satisfying Life: Does Meaning in Life and Subjective Well-Being Play a Role? College students run into many challenges in their everyday life. The pressures of maintaining good grades, keeping up with their social calendars, studying, and other responsibilities begin to pile up. By conducting this study, researchers were able to conclude, that by having meaning in life, students were overall satisfied with their lives. (Santos, Margramo Jr., Ouan Jr., Paat, Barnachea)...

Words: 1102 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Would You Be Happier If You Were Richer

...my lecture is about to would you be happier if you were richer. Most people believe that they would be happier if they were richer, but survey evidence on subjective well-being is largely inconsistent with that belief. Subjective well-being is most commonly measured by asking people, All things considered, how satisfied are you with your life as a whole these days? or Taken all together, would you say that you are very happy, pretty happy, or not too happy? An alternative method asks people to report their feelings in real time, which yields a measure of experienced affect or happiness.Increases in income have been found to have mainly a transitory effect on individuals_ reported life satisfaction. Moreover, the correlation between income and subjective wellbeing is weaker when a measure of experienced happiness is used instead of a global measure. More importantly, the focusing illusion may be a source of error in significant decisions that people make. Evidence for the focusing illusion comes from diverse lines of research. For example, Strack and colleagues reported an experiment in which students were asked:How happy are you with your life in general? And How many dates did you have last month? The correlation between the answers to these questions was.When they were asked in the preceding order,but the correlation rose to 0.66(zero point sixty six) when the order was reversed with another sample of students. Similar focusing effects were observed when attention was first...

Words: 1062 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Summary of the World Happiness Report 2013

...is distributed within and among countries and regions. The essence of traditional virtue ethics is that happiness is achieved by harnessing the will and the passions to live the right kind of life. A desirable level of happiness means feeling mildly to moderately positive usually, with occasional negative emotions in appropriate situations. Promoting a healthy start in life is vital, and there is ample evidence to indicate that early intervention programs have an important protective or preventive effect. Also, individuals who are happier tend to have better social relations. Well-being is also related to having less gossip and more meaningful conversations. The questions to use must be chosen according to end use purpose since they are of critical importance for measuring subjective wellbeing. The contextual impact of preceding questions must be also taken care of. The analysis of subjective well-being data requires a relatively large sample size and should use micro-data analysis. Also the, enumeration should be spread over a large period – say an year, so that any incidence of holidays might not bias the survey results. Most arguments for putting happiness more center-stage in policy making have been normative in nature; happiness is what would appear to matter...

Words: 1246 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Positive Psychology Paper

...increases one’s level of subject well-being. The survey consisted of 90 participant’s, 15 being male and 75 being female volunteers. In this study, survey analysis was the method used to obtain results from participants in a randomized survey. It t. lysis of the study in the has already been conducted in the alayzed as well as other researchpiness from materialistic iteis crucial to understand the definition of happiness which is scientifically known as subjective well-being. Subjective well-being is a commonly used measure of what many tend to believe as happiness. Subjective is what people feel and report, while well-being is what we know as happiness. On top of the survey there will be an analysis of other research that has been done in order to be able to better understand the relationship between ones happiness in terms of experiences or materialistic items. The hypothesis is that purchasing experiences will increase ones happiness more than purchasing a possession. In order to find data results to prove the hypothesis, this paper will discuss an analysis of the study along with other research that has already been conducted in the past. Literary Review There has been a variety of studies that have shown concrete evidence that supports the theory which states buying experiences increases one’s subjective well-being more than buying possessions. In order to discuss the relationships between the different articles and studies being conducted one must understand...

Words: 3406 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Matrix

...*Over all in a 2001 data report on Quality and Well-Being scale – males and females between ages 20-39 scored higher on well-being versus males and females ranging in age 40 years and above. Subjective well-being looks at a person’s health and the perceptions with which a person has. In takes into account the person’s feelings, whether that’s happiness or sadness, life satisfiers, and the basic overall quality of the life. The ultimate goal of researchers is how to eliminate the misery in which some individuals experience in the collection of data in order to measure and give understanding to ways in which to improve the quality of life. Subjective well-being has a direct connection to physical well-being and those who have a high subjective well-being tend to get sick far less than those who do not. This also leads researchers to believe that having a high subjective well-being can lead to longer life spans with less illness overall. There are any social indicators fail to measure what people think and feel about their lives, the quality of their relationships, their positive emotions, resilience, satisfaction with life domains, or the realization of their potential (Seligman,2004). Positive evaluations of life including the presence of positive emotions (e.g., happiness, serenity, interest), social ties, and perceptions of life satisfaction and meaning, are commonly referred to as “well-being”. Matsumoto, D., & Juang, L. (2012). Culture and psychology. (5th ed.)....

Words: 271 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

A Study: Income and Happiness Across Europe: Do Reference Values Matter?

...Luxury Consumption on Subjective Well-Being 3 Data used for analysis 5 Econometric Model 6 Critical Reflection 8 Reference List 11 A Study: Income and happiness across Europe: Do reference values matter? Summary The authors in this study - Guglielmo Maria Caporale, Yannis Georgellis, Nicholas Tsitsianis and Ya Ping Yin - assess the relationship between income and subjective well-being; by tracing back to works of Adam Smith, Karl Marx, Veblen and Duesenberry, the authors revive significant attention to the neoclassical economic theory that portrays well-being and absolute income to be highly correlated. The data was retrieved from the European Social Survey (ESS) to examine a potential relationship between income and happiness (self-reported satisfaction), the authors execute their study across 19 European Countries. With utilisation of Easterlin (1974) as their seminal paper, the research draws attention to the Easterlin Paradox (Easterlin, 1995) that suggests there is no relationship between economic expansion in industrialised countries and its average level of happiness. The authors look to assess topical contradictory findings that conclude absolute income is correlated with levels of happiness (e.g.: Frijters et al., 2004). The research purpose of this paper was to re-examine this controversial link for a number of European countries, specific consideration was given to whether relative income was a chief determinant of well-being. The results show that...

Words: 2793 - Pages: 12

Free Essay

Korean

...Subjective Well‐Being and Income: Is There Any Evidence of Satiation?* Betsey Stevenson The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan & CESifo and NBER betseys@umich.edu www.nber.org/~bstevens Justin Wolfers Department of Economics & The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan & Brookings, CAMA, CEPR, CESifo, IZA and NBER jwolfers@umich.edu www.nber.org/~jwolfers ABSTRACT Many scholars have argued that once “basic needs” have been met, higher income is no longer associated with higher in subjective well-being. We assess the validity of this claim in comparisons of both rich and poor countries, and also of rich and poor people within a country. Analyzing multiple datasets, multiple definitions of “basic needs” and multiple questions about well-being, we find no support for this claim. The relationship between well-being and income is roughly linear-log and does not diminish as incomes rise. If there is a satiation point, we are yet to reach it. This draft: Keywords: JEL codes: April 16, 2013 Subjective well-being, happiness, satiation, basic needs, Easterlin paradox. D6, I3, N3, O1, O4 * A shorter version of this paper will appear in the American Economic Review, Papers and Proceedings in May 2013. The authors wish to thank Angus Deaton, Daniel Kahneman, and Alan Krueger for useful discussions and The Gallup Organization, where Wolfers serves as a Senior Scientist, for providing data. The views expressed herein...

Words: 2346 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Social Support Research Paper

...versus that which is really available. Concerning health behaviors, there is debate as to which type of support is more influential. Cohen and Wills (1985) found perceived social support to be more significant in relation to health behaviors than actual social support. Their rationale for this is that if the resources of support are not perceived by an individual, they cannot be utilized. Cohen’s theory is supported by a number of studies that found perceived social support was more influential than actual social support in health and well-being (Giblin, Polan, & Ager, 1990; Schaffer & Lia-Hoagberg, 1997; Feldman, Dunkel- Schetter, Sandman, &Wadhwa, 2000; Rudnicki et al., 2001). As per Wethington& Kessler (1986), perceived social support is more important than received social support. Mere perception of social support can act as a buffer for individual facing stressful life situations (Cohen & Wills 1985). Perceived social support is subjective evaluation of resources received in a given situation and its felt appropriateness and satisfaction (Vaux 1990). Several studies have provided strong evidence in support of the relationship between social support and psychological...

Words: 1785 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Happiness of Teachers in Pune

...that Ms. Ipshita Munshi of Division G and Roll no. 2497 has satisfactorily completed her group testing report in the subject Psychology (special) Psychological Testing (Practicals) as part of the B.A. Degree in Psychology for the academic year 2015-2016. Date: 9th April 2016 Place: Pune Exam Seat No. : 1161 Dr. Alpana Vaidya Head of Department (Psychology) Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce INTRODUCTION The primary motive of human behavior, according to Frankl’s existential theory (1959) is the will to meaning or else a person’s strive to find a reason for his/her limited and often “confusing” existence. The meaning of life differs from person to person and from moment to moment. Thus, it cannot be defined in a general way. Human beings experience the meaning of life when they correspond in time to the demands of the situation they are in, when they discover and undertake their own unique duty in life and when they allow themselves to experience or believe in an ultimate meaning, which may refer to, among others, the faith in God. The choice of a person to be dedicated to a purpose outside of him/herself and to engage and contribute to the world are also emphasized. A person can discover his/her personal meaning of life (Frankl, 1973) by: 1) his/her creative values, which s/he experiences through goal achievement and what s/he contributes to life...

Words: 4763 - Pages: 20

Premium Essay

The Concept of Probability

...would succeed in this class, and how I would use subjective probability later on in life. There will also be examples of businesses that will use subjective probability within their company. Unit 2: The Concept of Probability I think that my chances of getting an “A” in this class are very impossible. There is no way possible for my outcome to be the same as the others, because my grades are already failing grades. The math process will be provided so that a determination of what grade I might receive. The determination of this problem is an example of subjective probability because it is an educated guess. I think that it would probably be a 10 percent chance of me getting an A in this class. The figures were determined by the five grades being divided into the 9 assignments that will give me a total of 3.5 or 3 1/2. Empirical probability was better for me to choose in determining my outcome of me not receiving an “A” this time, as well as the last times. 25 plus 0 equals 25 divided by the possible score of 200 gives me a score of .12 or 12% and it is considered an “F.” I think that it is a very small chance of me getting an “A” because my grades are all ready behind. (Editorial Board, 2011). I believe that classical probability could provide the same outcome. But, empirical probability provides the difference in the base on the grades that could possibly be received in the first two assignments. Now, with all of this being said there is no way that all of us will be able...

Words: 678 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

A Success Story? Happiness in the New Post-Communist Eu Member States

...Romania www.sergiubaltatescu.info Abstract: Ten of the post-communist countries managed to integrate into EU. Which are the subjective outcomes of socio-economic transformations in these countries? Did they manage to increase their citizens’ happiness in this process? To give an answer to these questions I used data from Candidate Countries Eurobarometer (2001-2004), Standard Eurobarometers (2005-2007), and World Bank Development Indicators. Developments in average national happiness have been compared with the economic (GDP, optimism concerning the level of living) and political (satisfaction with democracy) trends on the same time span. In all the studied societies, trends were positive after 2001. Eastern European countries showed higher increases in GNI per capita and also life satisfaction than in the rest of European Union. Those who started with lower levels increased more, strongly suggesting a possibility of convergence. A non-economic factor, satisfaction with democracy, mediates the influence of GNI on life satisfaction. Overall, access of Eastern European countries in European Union seems to be a success story, from both economic and non-economic points of view. However, the economic crisis may change the prognosis, raising the issue of sustainability of growth in happiness levels. Keywords: subjective well-being; economic development; Post-socialist countries; GDP JEL: D31, D60, I31, O52, P2 Ten of the post-communist countries...

Words: 1710 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

How Unilever’s Brands Connect with Consumers

...Q1: A- GDP is used to measure the wealth and prosperity of nations in addition to that it measure the overall growth or decline of a nation's economy. The most common way to measure GDP is the expenditure approach. GDP in expenditure approach is the sum of the following elements: Total domestic consumption:This is the total amount spent on domestically produced services and final goods whether it was tangible such as food and clothing or intangible such as doctor fees and cleaning. Total domestic investment expenditures:This measurement includes investments in stocks and bonds in addition to the investments in equipment such as computer servers and commercial buildings that will be useful over a long period of time. Government expenditures:such as military salaries and building roads, however it does not include social security payments and welfare. Net exports: where it is the total of goods produced domestically and sold to foreigners minus goods produced by foreigners and sold domestically. Regarding to above, using GDP as a measure of a nation's economy is quite good because it measures the nation buying power over a given time period. Moreover, GDP can be used as an indicator of a nation's overall standard of living where nation's standard of living increases as GDP increases. However, there are a number of shortcomings to using GDP. Firstly,GDP is computed at market prices which means that it ignores externalities such as environmental...

Words: 1755 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Item Description And The Rhetorical Analysis By John Freyer

...Have you every wondered about selling every item that you own until all of your main necessities fit in your car? Neither have I, but John Freyer did exactly this as a part of his project. The items that he sold varied from a bag of sugar, a stamp, and even canned ham. How could someone not help but wonder what made people buy these strange items? The answer is actually not surprising as you may think. That answer is the item description and the rhetorical context provided by Freyer. Therefore, from Fryer’s project it can be seen that the item description and rhetorical context play a critical role in the selling of any item or in everyday writing. Firstly, item description plays such a major key in the selling of items and everyday writing...

Words: 566 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Scientific Merit

...individuals’ well-being and satisfaction as it relates to their job. This study included both men and women of various ages, various educational differences, and of various work or job positions within the corporate and industrial realms. This study is a quantitative study that investigates an avenue to develop a plausible explanation for the connection between age and gender and these individuals’ job well –being and satisfaction. In addition, the study looks for this connection to be a generalized concept that can relate to other individuals in other regions and places. We will look at how the study advances the knowledge base for this type of research, this study’s contribution to theories, the procedure of data collection and if this is appropriate for this type of study, the methodology used for this study, and assess the validity and reliability of the information and the research study. Ethics will be another concept that will be examined. Ethics is a very prominent aspect of research and this study involves human participants so these individuals’ rights are of utmost importance. Lastly, the overall scientific merit of the study will be examined and how the study meets the criteria of a good research study. Advancing the Knowledge Base The topic that is covered by this study has been the source of research studies for many years. According to this past research, there is a continued need for an improvement in the understanding of the topic that is the well-being...

Words: 4385 - Pages: 18

Premium Essay

Related Literature Review

...and distinction between self-efficacy and perceived control over behavior. There is an issue related to subjective norm which several authors have argued the weakest component of the construct. However, it has been identified in the study of Armitage and Conner (2001) that subjective norm has a strong relationship to intention if properly measured. Furthermore, findings in the study of Armitage and Conner (1999) also support TPB and include self-identity as the predictor. Godin and Kok (1996) review the theory of planned behavior, how it is being applied and evaluate the efficiency of this theory in explaining and predicting health-related behaviors. The results of the study revealed that the theory predicts and explains the intention very well. However, attitude and perceived behavioral control are the significant variables in explaining some variation in the intention. This entails that...

Words: 772 - Pages: 4