Titre du document / Document title

Pursuing happiness : The architecture of sustainable change

Auteur(s) / Author(s)

LYUBOMIRSKY Sonja ⁽¹⁾ ; SHELDON Kennon M. ⁽²⁾ ; SCHKADE David ⁽³⁾ ;

Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s)

⁽¹⁾ University of California, Riverside, ETATS-UNIS
⁽²⁾ University of Missouri-Columbia, ETATS-UNIS
⁽³⁾ University of California, San Diego, ETATS-UNIS

Résumé / Abstract

The pursuit of happiness is an important goal for many people. However, surprisingly little scientific research has focused on the question of how happiness can be increased and then sustained, probably because of pessimism engendered by the concepts of genetic determinism and hedonic adaptation. Nevertheless, emerging sources of optimism exist regarding the possibility of permanent increases in happiness. Drawing on the past well-being literature, the authors propose that a person's chronic happiness level is governed by 3 major factors: a genetically determined set point for happiness, happiness-relevant circumstantial factors, and happiness-relevant activities and practices. The authors then consider adaptation and dynamic processes to show why the activity category offers the best opportunities for sustainably increasing happiness. Finally, existing research is discussed in support of the model, including 2 preliminary happiness-increasing interventions.

Revue / Journal Title

Review of general psychology   ISSN 1089-2680 

Source / Source

2005, vol. 9, n^o 2 (95 p.)  [Document : 21 p.] (4 p.3/4), pp. 111-131 [21 page(s) (article)]

Langue / Language

Anglais

Editeur / Publisher

Educational Publishing Foundation, Washington, DC, ETATS-UNIS  (1997) (Revue)

Mots-clés anglais / English Keywords

Human ; Social interaction ; Activity ; Strategy ; Motivation ; Psychological well being ; Optimism pessimism ; Quality of life ; Optimality condition ; Positivity ; Theoretical model ;

Mots-clés français / French Keywords

Psychologie positive ; Homme ; Interaction sociale ; Activité ; Stratégie ; Motivation ; Bien être psychologique ; Optimisme pessimisme ; Qualité vie ; Condition optimalité ; Positivité ; Modèle théorique ;

Mots-clés espagnols / Spanish Keywords

Hombre ; Interacción social ; Actividad ; Estrategia ; Motivación ; Bienestar psicológico ; Optimismo pesimismo ; Calidad vida ; Condición optimalidad ; Positividad ; Modelo teórico ;

Localisation / Location

INIST-CNRS, Cote INIST : 27004, 35400013837258.0030