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Come On….Be Happy!!!. Unit 2.3. Should We Teach That Money Buys Happiness?. Is there a connection between one’s income level and life satisfaction ? It depends on who you ask. A Buddhist Monk would say that you will be happier if you cared less for material things .
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Come On….Be Happy!!! Unit 2.3
Should We Teach That Money Buys Happiness? • Is there a connection between one’s income level and life satisfaction? It depends on who you ask. A Buddhist Monk would say that you will be happier if you cared less for material things. Aristotle said that happiness comes from living a virtuous life. If you ask my kids, they would tell you they would be happier if I gave them more allowance or higher pay when they help me.
Does it help our economy to have people believe that material possessions can bring happiness?
Does a lack of physical possessions mean that you are unhappy? • Yes, if the things you do not have are things that are necessary for your physical survival. • No, if certain other conditions are met. • SQOL- the sociologist measure of happiness and life satisfaction. It stands for Subjective Quality of Life.
The Happiness or Satisfaction that a person experiences can change based upon: • 1) mental tranquility • 2) civic engagement • 3) good health • 4) being loved or being in love.
Satisfaction and Happiness are connected, but not exactly the same. • Happiness tends to be a short term emotional state of being. Satisfactiontends to look at a somewhat bigger picture and tends to be more stable.
I can be unhappy with my wife for not letting me go to Disney but I might still be satisfied with my marriage.
A new survey of more than 136,000 people in 132 countries around the world - the first such survey ever conducted - suggests that it can't buy that either. • The survey, conducted by the Gallup organization, shows that while greater affluence often brings greater "life satisfaction," it doesn't necessarily increase positive feelings. • "If you look at life satisfaction - how you evaluate your life as a whole - you see a pretty strong correlation around the world between income and happiness," Ed Diener, a senior scientist at Gallup, said in a prepared statement. "On the other hand it's pretty shocking how small the correlation is with positive feelings and enjoying yourself." • Positive feelings, as defined by the survey, come from things like feeling respected, having supportive relationships and a sense of autonomy, and fulfilling work.
Consumer Culture • Consumer Culture- a culture in which money is ascribed great importance and people are defined by what and how they consume. • North American Culture has been defined as a Consumer Culture.
Research led by London School of Economics professors into the link between personal spending power and the perceived quality of life has conclusively proved that money can buy everything but happiness. The study revealed that people in Bangladesh, one of the poorest countries in the world, derive far more happiness from their small incomes than, for example, the British do from their relatively large bank balances. In fact, people in most rich countries including Austria, Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, Japan and others are much less happy than their poorer counterparts in countries like the Dominican Republic and Armenia.
College SurveyThis survey is given to college students at the start of each year. • In 1967, “developing a meaningful philosophy of life” was considered to be an important life goal by 86% of the people. In 2003, only 45% of the students said that it was important.
When college students were asked what would make them happier, money was the most common answer.
Arguments that support the idea that Money leads to Happiness: • Having money relieves a large portion of the daily stress and worries over finances. • People living below the poverty line score lower on physical and mental health measures.
Having money provides more opportunities and more life choices that can lead to happiness.
Relative Poverty • Relative Poverty- the type of poverty experienced when one is unable to live up to the expectations of the society, causes one to feel psychological distress.
Arguments that Money Does Not Lead to Satisfaction • Satisfaction Increases When: • The person feels he/she has control over their own life. • They have Social Integration. This means they have close connection to family and friends.
Have a commitment to something larger than themselves. This would be religion, family, community etc.
Research shows that people need enough money to meet their basic needs. After that, money and happiness/satisfaction fail to correlate. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTO_dZUvbJA