Sure, everyone wants to be happy. But what kind of happiness do people want? Is it happiness experienced moment-to-moment? Or is it being able to look back and remember a time as happy? Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman described this distinction as “being happy in your life” versus “being happy about your life.” Take a moment to ask yourself, which happiness are you seeking?
What Kind of Happiness Do People Value Most?
The difference between experiencing happiness and remembering it.
November 19, 2018
Summary.
Sure, everyone wants to be happy. But what kind of happiness do people tend to want? Is it happiness experienced moment-to-moment? Or is it a broader, remembered happiness, as in being able to look back and remember a time as happy? Nobel Prize winner, Daniel Kahneman, described this distinction as “being happy in your life” versus “being happy about your life.” The two don’t always go hand in hand. Researchers asked thousands of Americans (ages 18 to 81) about their preference between experienced and remembered happiness. They found that people’s preferences between experienced and remembered happiness differ according to the amount of time they’re considering – and that this can vary by culture.