PSYC FPX 4110 Assessment 1 Happiness And Well-being
Capella University
PSYC FPX 4110 Positive Psychology
Prof. Name
December, 2024
Reflection on Happiness and Well-being
PSYC FPX 4110 assessment 1 Happiness and well-being are complex, multifaceted concepts that have been investigated in various disciplines: philosophy, psychology, sociology, as well as even economics (Fridanna et al., 2021). The relation between the two is entwined in such a way that happiness is regarded as one of the key constituents of total well-being. However, well-being itself is broader than emotional happiness; it involves physical health, social relationships, finding purpose in life, and stability in finances. Reflecting on happiness and well-being calls for the exploration of what contributes to a fulfilling life and how individuals, communities, and societies can foster these essential aspects.
Essentially, happiness is a subjective feeling and emotional state characterized by pleasure, satisfaction, and happiness with life. Philosophers have long debated the concept of happiness, with Aristotle describing it as “eudaimonia,” or the actualization of human potential through the practice of virtue. According to this perspective, happiness is not just the pursuit of pleasure or the avoidance of pain but rather a sense of purpose and meaning derived from living by one’s values. Modern theories of happiness, as propounded by positive psychology, indicate that happiness is strongly related to factors such as gratitude, optimism, and social relationships (Alam, 2022). From this angle, people who have emotions that are positive, activities meaningfully, and social interactions that are strong tend to report more happiness.
Well-being, while closely tied to happiness, is an overall concept comprising a variety of elements: physical well-being, concerned with good health and feeling physically robust; mental well-being involves psychological resilience in terms of an ability to cope with stress and maintaining emotional regulation; and social well-being entails having supportive relations and a sense of belonging to the community. Economic well-being, although a more materialistic measure, is also important because financial security enables individuals to fulfill their basic needs and participate in opportunities that foster other dimensions of well-being. The WHO defines well-being as a complete state of physical, mental, and social health and not just the absence of disease or infirmity (Cai et al., 2021).
One of the central debates in the study of happiness and well-being is the role of external circumstances versus internal factors. Wealth, status, and environment can certainly influence happiness, but research consistently shows that they have a limited impact on long-term well-being. For example, studies have found that though people may report a short-term increase in happiness after acquiring a new car, promotion, or home, these feelings tend to wear off as time goes by (Veenhoven et al., 2021). The effects are described as the “hedonic treadmill,” where the tendency of fast habituation in new circumstances leads people back to a normal level of happiness. On the other hand, far more significant are the sustaining factors of happiness, that is, personality traits, mindset, and coping mechanisms. For instance, some people have a sense of gratitude, those who practice mindfulness, and those who exhibit altruism, and all these aspects are likely to make them stay well-being no matter what happens around them.
Another major aspect of reflection is the role of relationships in developing happiness and well-being (Zheng, 2022). It has been proven through continuous studies that people with social connections are generally healthy, both physically and mentally. Scientific studies indicate that a person with a good social support system from family, friends, or community will be more likely to be happy and have a long life. It’s not only about having someone to share experiences with but also the sense of security and belongingness that one has because he or she is part of a supporting group. Indeed, one of the biggest findings from research on happiness is that relationships, not money, success, or material possessions, are the greatest predictors of long-term well-being. Being social is the nature of human beings, and the quality of our lives depends on the quality of our relationships.
Beyond personal connections, there is also a more general purpose in life that impacts well-being. People whose lives seem to have a purpose, such as through their work or hobbies or contributing to the greater good, seem to experience more happiness in life, particularly among the elderly who can find satisfaction in serving their communities and passing their knowledge to future generations. The feeling of purpose gives guidance and impetus, which act as a cushion against all challenges in life (Hyland et al., 2021). There is also a connection between it and resilience, as more purposeful people are less susceptible to adversity and, indeed, find meaning where other people might not see much. Research has also shown that merely working on values-oriented goals—whether related to family, creativity, or social justice— generates more life satisfaction than chasing rewards of external success or other achievements.
Societal and cultural influences are also believed to influence happiness and well-being. Individual pursuit of happiness takes precedence over all else in one culture while being secondary to the overall well-being of the group, as well as the group’s or the other individual’s welfare in another. A society determines people’s beliefs about what constitutes happiness; what’s worthwhile in a person’s life; and which approach, then, to seek well-being For instance, happiness can be more subjective to a culture and may relate more closely to the personal achievements that define happiness. For instance, individualistic cultures associate happiness more closely with autonomy, success, and self-expression, whereas in collectivist cultures, happiness relates more to harmony, family, and social cohesion. Cultural understanding of such differences is necessary as it explains the relativity of happiness and well-being from an individual and collective perspective.
This trend has, in recent years, taken the world by storm through an increasing recognition of the relevance of well-being in national and global policies. Governments, organizations, and institutions are focusing on well-being as an indicator of success, but not necessarily in the usual and traditional measures of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Bhutan is famously known to have adopted the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) as a measure of development progress. This approach would encompass environmental sustainability, mental health, cultural heritage, and education, besides the traditional economic indicators in its design. Such undertakings acknowledge that economic growth would not necessarily result in happiness and that a prosperous society must always consider social and environmental factors alike.
In conclusion, such reflections on happiness and well-being address the huge internal and external factors that drive the fulfillment of life (Altomonte et al., 2024). While happiness is regarded as a transient emotional state, well-being is considerably more of a broad and enduring phenomenon, embracing physical, mental, social, and economic dimensions. Happiness and well-being have personal influences like relationships, purpose, mindset, and self-care; however, societal conditions tend to form the way these are defined and pursued. Individuals and societies continue to search and farm for happiness and well-being, and what now emerges is that to be able to live meaningfully and satisfactorily in life, it takes not only the absence of destructive factors but also a purposeful engagement in the building of positive growth, connectivity, and purpose.
PSYC FPX 4110 assessment 1 References
Alam, A. (2022). Positive psychology goes to school: conceptualizing students’ happiness in 21st-century schools while “minding the mind!” are we there yet? Evidence-backed, school-based positive psychology interventions. ECS Transactions, 107(1), 11199–11214. https://doi.org/10.1149/10701.11199ecst
Altomonte, S., Kaçel, S., Martinez, P. W., & Licina, D. (2024). What is next? A new conceptual model for comfort, satisfaction, health, and well-being in buildings. Building and Environment, 252, 111234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.111234
