meiers and deiner

• secondary research = literature review of existing studies on factors that effect happiness using 170,000 ppts in 16 countries
• variety of methods eg. observations and self reports mostly done between 1985 and 1991
• no procedure as a literacy review
• findings

  • happiness is a stable factor = people who report themselves as happy at one time continue to be despite changes
  • age = no time in life is happier
  • gender = no effect = 16 countries = 80% of men and women fairly satisfied with life
  • religion = 2 impactors = strength of belief and how often they attend place of worship
  • work = yes = flow means happier
  • relationships = yes = name more friends generally happier and married = very happy vs divorcees
  • traits = optimism and high self esteem
• conclusions

  • peoples traits tell us more about their happiness than life factors
  • happiness theories emphasise adaptations as people with ability to adjust = more life long happiness
  • personality influences view of world and cultural differences influence happiness
  • important factor in well being is feeling like you are making progress towards a long term goal
• high external reliability = reviews can be repeated = check for consistency
• large sample = 170,000 via 16 countries = generalisable = high population validity
• socially sensitive = can cause negative stereotypes eg. single people are depressed = discrimination = unethical
• correlational research = cant guarantee cause and effect eg. marriage and happy = low internal validity = just happier because more income and joined
• schinka disagrees = says genes control serotonin = causes higher life satisfaction = conclusions don't fully explain
• reviews existing studies = no ppt manipulation of chance of harm = ethical
• frank agrees = increase in income = can buy normal good = increase subjective well being = money can increase happiness to a certain point