Abstract/Summary

Although happiness is desired as an important goal worldwide, recent research has shown that putting a high value on happiness does not always lead to higher well-being and it sometimes impairs well-being. This paradox effect is influenced by culture, and it is highlighted that having a socially engaged definition of happiness can protect well-being from the negative impact of valuing happiness. The studies in this thesis aim to further understand how valuing happiness impacts well-being in different cultural backgrounds and different contexts. In chapter 2, we confirmed the protective role of having a socially engaged way of defining happiness in both eastern and western samples. We also proposed that the pursuit of happiness requires both a socially engaged and feasible approach to be successful. In chapter 3, we found negative stimuli cause the stronger distraction to people compared to neutral stimuli. However, we did not find evidence supporting the hypothesis that valuing happiness would lead to an impaired ability to control emotional attention in an experimental setting. In chapter 4, it was shown that people who react positively to activities with high levels of social engagement and feasibility tend to have higher well-being and personality traits. Furthermore, personality traits, how urgent people want to feel happy and their definition of happiness impacts preferences for positive events in day-to-day life. Altogether, pursuing happiness in ways that are social and feasible could lead to higher well-being.