Fall 2012 Happiness Class Study Questions
Return to Happiness
August 30, 2012
1. Distinguish the Greek philosophical conceptions of happiness in Plato and Aristotle from the Greek cultural conception of happiness.
2. What is Plato's view of happiness?
3. What is Aristotle's view of happiness?
4. How can one use ordinary reflection on experiences of happiness to start theoretical reflection?
September 4, 2012
1. Follow major concepts introduced by Haidt, such as: adaptation, hedonic treadmill, set point theory, maximizers vs. satisficers.
2. Why doesn't one adapt to the happiness effect of cosmetic surgery?
3. What is Haidt's happiness formula and how might if be justified given his perspective?
4. What are "top down and bottom up theories" of LS? How do researchers try to assess this, according to Schimmack?
5. What are some explanations of the independence of NA and PA, according to Schimmack?
September 6, 2012
- What are some of the major correlations and causes of happiness, according to Argyle?
- What are some of the difficulties in studying happiness across nations, according to Diener and Suh?
- What are some of the broad differences in SWB and how are they explained causally, according to Diener and Suh?
