HAPPINESS FORMULA By Williams Britt Muggs Ibrahim Mancini

HAPPINESS FORMULA By Williams Britt, Muggs Ibrahim, Mancini Udoji, and Katie Esler

Overview of the Formula H=S+C+V H = enduring level of happiness S = Set Range C = Circumstances in Life V = Factors under Voluntary Control

S (Set Range) Barrier to becoming happy Fixed level of happiness or sadness to which we invariably revert Represents inherited aspect of overall happiness Analogy to Thermostat Hedonic Treadmill Barrier to raising level of happiness Causes one to adapt to good things by taking them for granted

C (Circumstances) Account for 8 -15% variance in happiness. Factors which are difficult, impossible, or inconvenient to change Warner Wilson (1967) advised that happy people are -Well-Paid -Young -Well-Educated -Married -Healthy -Religious -Male or Female -Any level of intelligence Half are true, while half are not Hard to determine cause and effect.

C (Circumstances) Money Little to no effect (once comfortable) Seligman’s Advice: Do not bother making more money Marriage Strong effect May not be a causal effect Seligman’s Advice: Get Married

C (Circumstances) Social Life Strong effect May not be a causal effect Seligman’s Advice: Acquire rich social network Emotions Moderate effect Seligman’s Advice: Avoid negative events and negative emotion

C (Circumstances) Age Little to no effect Health Little to no effect Subject health is more important than objective health Seligman’s Advice: Don’t bother staying healthy

C (Circumstances) Education, Climate, Race, and Gender No effect Seligman’s Advice: Don’t get as much education as possible and don’t change race or move to a summer climate. Religion Moderate effect Seligman’s Advice: Get religion

V (Factors of Voluntary Control) Seligman’s Advice Let go of ideology that past determines future Voluntarily change memory Increase gratitude of good things and learn to forgive past wrongs

Satisfaction with the Past Frequent and intense negative thoughts of past block emotions of contentment and satisfaction When positive and negative events occur, there are temporary bursts of mood which after a short period of time settles back to set range. Emotions left to themselves will dissolve whereas expression and dealt upon emotions will multiply and produce more negative feelings Cognitive therapy equally as effective at relieving patients from depression as antidepressants.

Gratitude amplifies good memories about past and increases life satisfaction Insufficient appreciation and savoring of good events in past and overemphasis of bad undermines satisfaction and contentment Gratitude Project Chose an important person from your past who has made a positive difference in your life and to whom you have never fully expressed thanks. Write a letter and read it to the person who is the subject of the letter

Assessment What is the happiness formula? Can someone explain thermostat analogy for S (set range)? Which has a stronger affect on your overall happiness? Money or Religion? Social Life or Health? Marriage or Emotions? What are the affects of dwelling on negative events in the past and not having the proper satisfaction for positive events?