The Psychology of Happiness

From our patterns of thinking to the influence of government policies, this concise volume gives an insightful overview of the many psychological factors that affect our happiness and mental well-being.

Is happiness all down to luck? Do events in our life influence how happy we feel? Can too much of a good thing make us less happy?

The Psychology of Happiness introduces readers to the variety of factors that can affect how happy we are. From our personality and feelings of self-worth, to our physical health and employment status, happiness is a subjective experience which will change throughout our lives. Although feeling happy is linked with positive thinking and our sociability in daily life, the book also includes surprising facts about the limitations of our personal happiness.

We all want to feel happy in our lives, and The Psychology of Happiness shows us that achieving it can be both an accident of fortune and as a direct result of our own actions and influence.

1. An initial look


2. Hedonic wellbeing: Feeling bad to feeling good


3. Flourishing wellbeing: Self-worth and a good life


4. Influences from the world around you: Nine principal features


5. Influences from within yourself


6. Some consequences of happiness-


7. What to do now?