Positive Outlooks

Studies by psychologists have consistently found that Americans are reasonably positive about life. Most rate their happiness above average. What separates those who are riding high from those who are down in the dumps? The factors that don’t matter are actually more surprising than the ones that do. Factors that have little long-term effect on happiness are: Age and Gender: despite our culture’s obsession with youth, no season of life has a significant edge on happiness. And, both men and women rate themselves pretty much equally in life satisfaction. Major Life Events will also have little long-term effect on happiness. A big promotion or a major gain in the stock market are a cause for elation, the pleasure is usually outlived. Within 6 months, a person’s self-rated happiness is unlikely to be much different from before. The same is true about life’s disappointments such as a career setback of lost love. Most people bounce back.

Source: "Secrets of Happiness," Daniel Goleman, Bottom Line Personal, Nov. 96

[ Home | Your Money | Get Organized | Tightwad Tidbits | Living Better | Safety & Privacy | Buyer Beware | Kids & Money | About CEU | Search ]

	Web site coordinators: Jamie Thompson Sandra McKinnon Site evaluation: Cynthia Crawford Last updated: March 09, 2005	Web site established by: Kate Akers Mark Belwood Cynthia Crawford Sandra McKinnon Diana Hammond

University of Missouri Extension does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability or status as a Vietnam-era veteran in employment or programs.