Classic Research- Myers and Diener

• (M) What was the topic of Myers and Diener's study?

  • Happiness
  • Happiness is often referred to as a person's perception of their own subjective well-being (SWB)
• (M) What was the research method used?

  Literature review
• (M) What is a Literature Review?

  An overview of the previously published works on a specific topic. Summary of other works on a specific topic
• (M/P) What were the 5 ways that other studies featured in Myers and Diener's literature review were conducted?

  • Structured interviews
  • Questionnaire
  • Observation
  • Correlation
  • Meta-analysis
• (M/P)How were structured interviews used in these studies?

  Happiness was investigated using structured interviews, made up of closed questions
• (M/P)How were questionnaire used in these studies?

  Closed questions that had scales (e.g. on a level from 1-10)
• (M/P)How were observations used in these studies?

  • Time sampling was used to alert P's to record what they were doing and thinking at that particular moment
  • Participants were given beepers that went off at a selected time
  • Participants then had to send a message to the researchers that detailed what they were doing and thinking
• (M/P)How were correlations used in these studies?

  Researchers investigated what factors co-varied with happiness. For example, having a positive judgement of life events
• (M/P)How were meta-analyses used in these studies?

  • Researchers investigated happiness by exploring multiple pieces of research already carried out
  • The researchers would have reviewed these pieces of research and come to overall conclusions about happiness
• (M/P) What is a meta-analysis?

  Statistical analysis that combines the results of multiple scientific studies
• What were the nine topics that were investigated in Myers and Diener's study?

  • Happiness and Age
  • Happiness and Gender
  • Happiness and Ethnic Group
  • Happiness and Culture
  • Happiness and Money
  • Key characteristics/traits of happy people
  • Happiness and Relationships
  • Happiness and Work (flow)
  • Happiness and Faith/religion
• What was found out about Happiness and Age?

  • People of all ages are equally happy
  • People do face times of crisis, but not at any predictable age
  • No time of life is notably happier or unhappier than others
  • Knowing someone's age gives no clue to the person's average sense of well-being