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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
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%
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 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
Life Satisfaction and Age
0
20
40
60
80
100
Percent satisfied with life
15-24 25-35 35-44 45-54 65+
Age
So, if it is not income, gender, education, beauty, age, or having children, what does contribute to happiness?
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
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