The Science of Happiness

Dr. Mark D. Holder University of British Columbia

Huntington’s Disease Society of America

28th Annual Convention

JacksonvilleJune 21st, 2013

Psychology, Medicine, Psychiatry, and Neuroscience have traditionally focused on what’s wrong with you and how do we fix it.

Positive psychology is about what is right with you and how do we promote it.

Happiness: An Ignored Field

Dictionary of Psychology:

- Definitions of “Depression”- 18 Definitions

- Definitions of “Happiness”- 0 Definitions

Why is Research on Happiness Important?

1. Improvements in the Immune System2. Associated with Health3. Increased Career Success4. Improved Investment Returns5. Better Relationships6. Increased Tolerance7. Increased Creativity8. Longer Life9. How we are Judged by Others10. We Desire It

“Much has been gained if we succeed in turning your hysterical misery into common unhappiness.”

Sigmund Freud

How happy are you?

Self-report measures

The Faces Scale

“Overall, how do you usually feel?”

Very

Happy

very unhappy very happy

Measure Canada Zambia

UN Human Development Index 6th 164th

Life expectancy 80.7 yrs 42.4 yrs

GDP per capita $50,496 $1,414

Adult literacy rate 99% 80.6%

HIV/Aids prevalence (15-49 yrs)

0.30 % 15.20%

52 3 41 6 7

How NOT to become happier

Buying Happiness

• Personal income has risen dramatically over 40+ years

• Gross National Product has increased dramatically over the past 50 years

• Happiness has not increased

Income Increases but not Happiness

$0

$4,000

$8,000

$12,000

$16,000

$20,000

1956 1970 1984 1998

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

PersonalIncome in 1995dollarsPercentageVery Happy

Money and Happiness• Winning a lottery• No relation between happiness and

family income for children (Holder & Coleman, 2008)

• However, most people are convinced that more money would promote their happiness (Kahneman, et al., 2006)

• Less than $70,000

Happiness and Gender

0

20

40

60

80

100

Satisfied Very Happy

Males

Females

Happiness and EducationNo correlation between education and

happiness

Happiness and Beauty

Beauty has many advantages 1) you are judged smarter 2) more likely to get a job, a better job evaluation,

a promotion, and a raise 3) more people want to

be your friend 4) newborns prefer looking

at them

But beauty is not stronglylinked to happiness

Life Satisfaction and Age

0

20

40

60

80

100

Percent satisfied with life

15-24 25-35 35-44 45-54 65+

Age

Happiness & Having Children

Non Parents Parents Parents Living with a Minor

Activities and Happiness

So, if it is not income, gender, education, beauty, age, or having children, what does contribute to happiness?

• Genetics–40-50% of happiness has been

attributed to inheritance–Twins

Leisure• Active Leisure

– Holidays, team sports, and hobbies

• Passive Leisure– Television, computer use, and

playing video games

(Holder, Coleman & Sehn, 2009)

Spirituality• Neglected in adults• 4-5% of your happiness• Why spirituality?

– Gives one personal meaning– Healthier lifestyle– Promotes volunteering and altruism– Gives hope– Promotes social relations

• Children too (Holder, Coleman, & Wallace, 2010)

Four components of Spirituality• 1) Personal Meaning• 2) Connecting with others• 3) Transcendence• 4) Nature

Enhancing Spirituality

Nature experiencesPhoto albums

Friends and Family• “Hell is other people” (Jean Paul

Sartre)• Critical component of happiness

–Marriage–Children (Holder & Coleman,

2009)–Dementia and social support

Marriage and Happiness

0

10

20

30

40

50

1973 1977 1981 1985 1989

Year

Per

cen

tag

e V

ery

Hap

py

Married

Never Married

Quality not Quantity

• List three people you are really excited about seeing and you are certain you can trust

How To Nurture Relationships

1) Ask questions and really listen2) Never miss an opportunity to

compliment3) Never miss a chance to

celebrate success4) Notice something different5) Limit e-social connecting

Volunteer

• Why does this work?–Gives you social praise–Gives you personal meaning–Makes you less self-focused–Makes you feel competent–Promotes social relations

Giving ThanksGratitude Journal

• Three things each week that you are thankful for• 1) a past event• 2) a present event• 3) a future event• 4) something about you (physical)• 5) something about you (non-physical)• 6) a friend • 7) a family member• 8) work• 9) your community

How to Increase Your Happiness1. Don’t Confuse Well-Being with Being Well-off

2. Active Leisure3. Friends and Family4. Counting Acts of Kindness5. Volunteer6. Discover Flow7. Sleep & Health8. Fake it9. Social Comparisons10. Spirituality11. Giving Thanks

A Big Thanks

Dr Ben Coleman – Okanagan College

Graduate Students:Judi WallaceAndrea KlassenRob CallawayAshley LoveMaxine Crawford

Undergraduate Students:Tabatha Freimuth, Zoë Sehn, Tim Krupa

Funding:Michael Smith Foundation for Health ResearchOgopogo Rotary ClubUBC Okanagan Internal Grants & Travel GrantsJoan Rundle (private donation)BrainTrust Canada