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The Optimum Level of Well-Being: Can People Be Too Happy?

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The Science of Well-Being

Part of the book series: Social Indicators Research Series ((SINS,volume 37))

Abstract

Psychologists, self-help gurus, and parents all work to make their clients, friends, and children happier. Recent research indicates that happiness is functional and generally leads to success. However, most people are already above neutral in happiness, which raises the question of whether higher levels of happiness facilitate more effective functioning than do lower levels. Our analyses of large survey data and longitudinal data show that people who experience the highest levels of happiness are the most successful in terms of close relationships and volunteer work, but that those who experience slightly lower levels of happiness are the most successful in terms of income, education, and political participation. Once people are moderately happy, the most effective level of happiness appears to depend on the specific outcomes used to define success, as well as the resources that are available.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, 400400, Charlottesville, VA 22904–4400, USA

    Shigehiro Oishi

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA

    Ed Diener

  3. Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA

    Richard E. Lucas

Authors
  1. Shigehiro Oishi
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  2. Ed Diener
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  3. Richard E. Lucas
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Psychology, University of Illinois, 603 E. Daniel St, Champaign, IL 61820, USA

    Ed Diener

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Oishi, S., Diener, E., Lucas, R.E. (2009). The Optimum Level of Well-Being: Can People Be Too Happy?. In: Diener, E. (eds) The Science of Well-Being. Social Indicators Research Series, vol 37. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2350-6_8

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