Current Trends in the Psychology of Happiness

The article summarizes current trends in the research on the perception of personal well-being. These trends relate to current shifts in psychology toward investigation of the positive aspects of our existence.

The research posits Happiness as a continuous state of being. The basic findings are as follows: The majority of external variables, such as wealth, age, beauty, education, housing, status, intelligence, or watching television have low to zero impact on a person's feeling of well-being.

The only variable having a strong impact is a meaningful relationship, as found in marriage, intimate friendship, communal ties and creative endeavors.

Three theories attempt to explain the level of Happiness people achieve. Comparison theory states that positive feelings of Happiness depend on comparing ourselves to those less fortunate. Adaptation theory states that we adapt quickly to higher states of enjoyment. Personality theory states that happy people display characteristic personality traits.

Three general techniques are used to enhance Happiness: encouraging a positive outlook on life, using mental and physical relaxation techniques, and doing many small enjoyable things in the course of a day. However, the crucial and most fundamental aspect of Happiness - as an enduring factor in living - is to view Happiness as an adjunct of goal achievement, not as a goal in itself. This is especially true when people actualize the meaning of their own lives in human relationships.