PSYC 100 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3.3: Multiple Sclerosis, Peer Support, Conjoined Twins

• School: Queen's University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 100
• Professor: Jordan Poppenk

Document Summary

Common beliefs about what contributes to happiness are not confirmed by psych research (e. g winning the lottery increases happiness short-term but we later return to our usual level of it) People get used to the situation, that"s why. Believes our inborn genetic set-point for happiness probably accounts for 50% of our happiness, while 10% is due to circumstances and 40% is something that can be influenced by each individual. Happiness may be culturally constructed (eric weiner), he visited 10 different countries and found that happiness is not so much concrete state of mind. Researchers face dilemma that even tho ppl in western world become richer, they are not happier and one explanation might be bc they compare themselves to others. According to this theory, people are happy if they have more than those they normally compare themselves to. (consequence: one may be very happy with a new car, until neighbor buys one like it)