Why is happiness stable

Researchers in social psychology, developmental psychology, or clinical psychology interested in the well being of people over time. Chapter 1. Chapter 6. Chapter 9. Chapter We are always looking for ways to improve customer experience on Elsevier. We would like to ask you for a moment of your time to fill in a short questionnaire, at the end of your visit.

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Sorry, this product is currently out of stock. Flexible - Read on multiple operating systems and devices. Easily read eBooks on smart phones, computers, or any eBook readers, including Kindle. Institutional Subscription. For example, being open to emotional experiences and the ability to tolerate periods of discomfort can allow us to move towards a richer, more meaningful existence. Studies have demonstrated that the way we respond to the circumstances of our lives has more influence on our happiness than the events themselves.

Philosophically speaking there are two paths to feeling happy, the hedonistic and the eudaimonic. Hedonists take the view that in order to live a happy life we must maximise pleasure and avoid pain.

This view is about satisfying human appetites and desires, but it is often short lived. In contrast, the eudaimonic approach takes the long view. It argues that we should live authentically and for the greater good. We should pursue meaning and potential through kindness, justice, honesty and courage. We will also try to minimise unpleasant and painful feelings in order to keep our mood high. If we take the eudaimonic approach, however, we strive for meaning, using our strengths to contribute to something greater than ourselves.

This may involve unpleasant experiences and emotions at times, but often leads to deeper levels of joy and contentment. So leading a happy life is not about avoiding hard times; it is about being able to respond to adversity in a way that allows you to grow from the experience. Research shows that experiencing adversity can actually be good for us, depending on how we respond to it. Tolerating distress can make us more resilient and lead us to take action in our lives, such as changing jobs or overcoming hardship.

Often when people have faced difficulty, illness or loss, they describe their lives as happier and more meaningful as a result.