Do you really want to be happy? (3)
Earlier this week, I attended a packed-out seminar at the London School of Economics” entitled “Measuring Happiness?” which was addressed by four experts on this subject.
The third speaker was Paul Dolan who is a professor of behavioural science at the LSE. He told the story of a friend who criticised so many specific aspects of her work life but insisted that overall she loved her job. His main point was that happiness should not be assessed in overall impressionistic terms but in terms of specific personal experiences. His secondary point was that policy makers need to think more about the use and valuation to time. You soon get used to the benefits of a pay rise at work but you appreciate more having greater time with family and friends.
The fourth speaker was Elaine Fox who is director of the Oxford Centre for Emotions and Affective Neuroscience. She argued that, rather than simply asking people if they are happy, one can actually measure happiness as a result of chemical changes in the brain. She suggested that there are two types of intervention that can affect neural indices of well being: 1) One can actively try to change a person’s bias by giving them positive information or messages; 2) Mindfullness medication can improve a person’s sense of well being.
In the question and answer session, some of the points that came out were as follows:
- Is happiness an end goal or is it a route to something else?
- Happiness of itself is a goal worth pursuing
- Additionally happiness has other by products such as more productiveness, fewer accidents and greater longevity
- The Easterlin paradox posits that more money does not necessarily mean more happiness
- Happiness is not so much absolute as relative – we like to feel we are doing well compared to others
- Happiness can be about expectation as well as actuality – we really look forward to a holiday
- Optimists are not less happy because they have higher expectations that are not always met, but happy because they foresee obstacles but believe that they can be overcome
- Happiness can be related to choices – some choice provides a sense of control, which is a crucial ingredient of happiness for many, but too much choice can confuse and depress
I found the LSE seminar stimulating and I am happy I attended.
January 20th, 2014 at 10:57 am
Why has not the Easterlin paradox become evident to bankers and corporate fat cats? Why don’t Cameron and Osborne impress this upon their friends in the City? Or is this only meant for us lesser mortals who are being asked to be content with less in these austere times?
January 20th, 2014 at 11:52 am
It is simple – but misguided – greed, Prem.