Ed Diener, or some refer to him as Dr. Happiness, is a prime researcher studying positive psychology. Positive psychology deals with the strengths that enable thriving among individuals. In his studies, he emphasizes a strong genetic factor to happiness along with arguing that "external conditions do little to change one's happiness" (Pursuit of Happiness, Inc). Furthermore, Diener believes that happiness is highly correlated with social relationships. Diener is one of the many researchers who argues that surroundings and other peers affect one's overall happiness. I found this to be quite interesting: "In a recent cross-national study on teenagers, Diener found that “the most salient characteristics shared by the 10% of students with the highest levels of happiness and the fewest signs of depression were their strong ties to friends and family and commitment to spending time with them.”" (Pursuit of Happiness, Inc). Diener continues by explaining that "basically we are programmed to be happy and even horrific events like being paralyzed often upset happiness only temporarily. Due to the principle of hedonic adaptation, we are able to quickly revert back to our “set level” of happiness." (Diener). Which if you truly think about your life, Diener's beliefs are pretty accurate. Additionally, he highlights four essentials for a happy life:
#1. Psychological wealth is more than money. It is also your attitudes, goals and engaging activities at work.
#2. Happiness not only feels good, but is beneficial to relationships, work and health.
#3. It is helpful to set realistic expectations about happiness. No one is intensely happy all of the time.
#4. Thinking is an important aspect to happiness. His theory of Attention, Interpretation, and Memory (AIM) helps people to increase their psychological wealth.
authority: the Pursuit of Happiness, Inc#2. Happiness not only feels good, but is beneficial to relationships, work and health.
#3. It is helpful to set realistic expectations about happiness. No one is intensely happy all of the time.
#4. Thinking is an important aspect to happiness. His theory of Attention, Interpretation, and Memory (AIM) helps people to increase their psychological wealth.
accuracy: this site is a science newsletter with the latest updates pertaining
timeliness: 2012
link: http://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/history-of-happiness/ed-diener/
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