THE SCIENCE OF WELL-BEING:
MASTER SUMMARY & STUDY GUIDE
MODERN POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY & THE SCIENCE OF
HAPPINESS
1. MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT HAPPINESS
Research shows that many things we "think" will make us happy actually provide
very little long-term satisfaction. This is due to several psychological phenomena:
• GI JOE FALLACY: The mistaken idea that "knowing" something is enough to
change your behavior. (Reality: You must practice new habits).
• MISWANTING: The act of being mistaken about what and how much you
will enjoy something in the future.
• HEDONIC ADAPTATION: The process of becoming accustomed to a positive
or negative stimulus, such that the emotional effects of that stimulus
return to a stable baseline.
• SOCIAL COMPARISON: Evaluating our own salary, status, or looks relative
to others rather than based on our actual needs.
MASTER SUMMARY & STUDY GUIDE
MODERN POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY & THE SCIENCE OF
HAPPINESS
1. MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT HAPPINESS
Research shows that many things we "think" will make us happy actually provide
very little long-term satisfaction. This is due to several psychological phenomena:
• GI JOE FALLACY: The mistaken idea that "knowing" something is enough to
change your behavior. (Reality: You must practice new habits).
• MISWANTING: The act of being mistaken about what and how much you
will enjoy something in the future.
• HEDONIC ADAPTATION: The process of becoming accustomed to a positive
or negative stimulus, such that the emotional effects of that stimulus
return to a stable baseline.
• SOCIAL COMPARISON: Evaluating our own salary, status, or looks relative
to others rather than based on our actual needs.
