Chapter 3

Happiness and
Subjective
Wellbeing across
Nations
 Learning
objectives!
• focus on the notion of happiness,
specifically on the concept of
subjective wellbeing (SWB),

• Understanding different methods

of measurements of wellbeing

• Criticize recent findings on the

correlates and predictors of
happiness within cultures from
around the world.
KUMUSTA
KA TODAY?
What exactly is happiness and is it really the
pursuit of positive psychology?
SUBJECTIVE
WELLBEING
The role of
pleasure
Measuring
SWB
Who is happy?
The Foresight Report
ELEMENTS OF WELLBEING
What makes us happy?
• Income
• Relationship
• Marriage
• Caveat: Children
• Work / Employment
• Health
• Religion
• Age, Gender, Education
Theories of SWB

• Genetics and SWB

• Adaptation theory
• Discrepancy theories
• Goal theories and SWB
• AIM approach