4.10 Adaptation Theory of Well-being

(Diener, Lucas, and Scollon 2006) People tend to return to their previous level of happiness after traumatic events. we tend to stay in a long-term disposition.

(Lyubomirsky, Sheldon, and Schkade 2005) long-term happiness depends 50% on a person’s genetic set point, 10% on circumstances (whether you, how rich, how healthy they are), and 40% on what they choose to think and do. Hence, even if our friends are happy, they happiness will wear off, and return us the original level.

References

Diener, Ed, Richard E. Lucas, and Christie Napa Scollon. 2006. “Beyond the Hedonic Treadmill: Revising the Adaptation Theory of Well-Being.” American Psychologist 61 (4): 305–14. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066x.61.4.305.

Lyubomirsky, Sonja, Kennon M. Sheldon, and David Schkade. 2005. “Pursuing Happiness: The Architecture of Sustainable Change.” Review of General Psychology 9 (2): 111–31. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.9.2.111.