A couple of my favorite psychological principles involve happiness. That shouldn’t surprise you. After all, one of psychology’s founding fathers, William James, stated that how to gain, keep and recover happiness is for most men (and women too) the secret motive for all they do. But how can we keep it? Is it possible?
I saw a short clip on utube last night that illustrates one of the principles of happiness, the adaptation level principle. Simply stated, it’s our human tendency to form judgments relative to a level defined by our prior experience. For example, I once thought I’d be deliriously happy if only I could finish college. I did, and I was…for a while anyway. I thought I’d be even happier with another degree and more money. Same thing happened. When I was younger, we saved our money for the down payment on a house that I (we) just knew would make us happier yet. Ah, it was nice for a while, but before long we were reaching for yet another goal and complaining about cutting the grass and other home maintenance duties. When I was a kid, we had a black and white t.v. with three channels and a lot of “snow.” Now we have a 42” flat screen with a jillion channels, and yet we’re often overheard saying, “There’s nothing on tonight.” HUH????
The gist of the theory is that sooner or later people return to their prior levels of happiness or misery regardless of circumstances. They adapt to the change, good or bad, and revert to their earlier way of thinking and feeling. My children often tell me what they’re going to do when they win the lottery. Optimistic, they say “when” and not “if.” But guess what. If they should be so fortunate, research tells us that people who win big bucks in the lottery return to their earlier level of happiness.
Can you see the application of the adaptation level principle in your life? Share an example with us.
We're psychology instructors (Jayne, Mark, Myles, Katie-in order of our being hired) at a community/technical college who are energized and excited by psychology and its applications to daily life. After all, what's the point of knowing about synapses unless the knowledge improves your understanding of moods, disorders, and memory (to name a few).
We've found that just about everything relates in some form or fashion to the science of human behavior, and it's our goal to help others to see that. Accordingly, we'll be posting opinions, comments, and questions and hoping that you'll respond. We'll also provide links to relevant articles and websites to further increase your knowledge
17 responses so far ↓
J.D. Daves // December 1, 2009 at 6:56 pm
The video wouldn’t load but I went on to youtube itselft and got it to load. I agree with him 100 percent. People take so much for granted including myself.
It applies to my life because people don’t look at the good benifits we have, they only see the bad in almost everything int he world today. Technology has come a long way and its still not good enough for us. I like to have nice things, and I think ill be happy if I get them but in reality you are the same. Its like on your birthday. You wait on year for it to come around and you feel exactly the same as you did the day before. We are to materialistic, and that leads to always wanting more. I mean its not bad to want the best of everything, but there will always be something better, so just be happy that you were bleased at what you have. For instance, you get anew cell phone that just came out and that makes you happy. Then next month another cell phone comes out and you are unable to get it because you signed a two year contract, so your happiness level returns to how it was before you even got the cell phone. Im speaking form personal experiences. People always want more, but forget about the people that don’t have anything at all. The United States is a blessed country and has alot more then some other countries. This reminds me of the saying ” one mans trash is another mans treasure”.
Nice post! It blows my mind to think that some people have never had a coke to drink! Nor have they watched t.v., listened to an iPod, ridden in a car, or tasted popcorn. We're very fortunate indeed.Carmen Conner // November 5, 2009 at 12:00 am
I personally have had my highs and lows. There have been days when I just felt like there was no use in even getting out of bed. Then I realized that every single bad thing that has ever happened to me has lead me to the place I am in my life.
I have 3 wonderful children. Each one is a blessing in their own way. My last child is only 5 and was born when I was nearly 39! I never would have had her if something really terrible hadn’t happened to me. I won’t get into it, but at the time I thought it was the worst thing ever! So many really bad things lead me here and I wouldn’t change one thing if it meant that I wouldn’t have what I have right now.
I think happiness is what you make it. You can always want more or be happy for what you have. There will always be people who have more than you do, but I bet there are a whole lot more that have less.
I also feel that if nothing bad ever happens to you, you really can’t appreciate the really good things. It is like being happy. If you are never sad, you have nothing to measure happiness by.
Great post! It's difficult when we're smack dab in the midst of misfortune or heartache to think that there could actually be a silver lining, and yet it's true. I think of Viktor (I think he spelled his name with a k) Frankl who survived horrors of concentration camps and developed a type of therapy called logotherapy. Not only did he use this therapy to help himself, but also literally millions of people have benefited from it.britney dinkins // November 3, 2009 at 6:05 pm
When I was younger my family and I always had things. My father would make sure that my brothers and I would never want or need for nothing. We would go shopping almost every week; we would pick what we want to eat, go and everything else. Since my mother and father separated , my mother try to teach us how to depend on ourselves instead of mom and dad all the time, while my dad still was spoiling us and not teaching us what we need to know. Now that we grown, with children and our own family; my brothers still depend on dad all the time, they don’t know the real true meaning of life. I’m the youngest and the only girl and can survive without my parents, I listen to my mom and understand her when she told us about the poor life she had back in the days with her family.
So yes I also agree with Ms. Atkinson today many people have so many decision and great choices to make. I don’t believe you can run out of happiness if you create the rights choices
Your story makes me think of something I once read about these seagulls who lived in a resort area. Year after year, tourists and locals alike would feed these birds, and then for some reason, the tourism industry sort of dried up, and so did the town. Guess what happened to the seagull? They died! It seems that they'd never learned to take care of themselves and provide for their needs.Tina Green // October 26, 2009 at 9:20 pm
At Francis Marion I was a Psychology major with a Religion minor. HGTC doesn’t have a psychology major so I’m an Art major for some reason, but when I transfer to coastal in December I will be a double major in Psychology and Religion, because CCU doesn’t have a Religion minor lol. Then hopefully be graduating the next spring! After that I have to think about what schools to do my masters at, as of right now all I’m sure of is that I don’t want to go to FMU again and CCU doesn’t offer a masters lol. So I still have a bit of planning to do.
I think it's grand to have plans and dreams. It's just that when people get almost immediately dissatisfied with what they have in a "more more more" fashion, it illustrates just how quickly we become accustomed to good stuff. When we get more of the goodies (money, fame, fortune, houses, cars, jewelry), then we want even more.Jerlene Atkinson // October 26, 2009 at 5:55 pm
As I think back, we did not have a lot of choices to chose from. Our families were not as fortunate to have a lot of money, so they live from pay check to pay check as some of us still do. But, we were satisfied with what we had or what we could get. When dinner was served or any meal that was put on the table you had to eat it or leave. Today some childen have choices, and they will say, I don’t want that and they have the oppurtunity to eat something else. We were grateful for whatever we could get. Today people have to many choices and I believe that this can lead to ungratefulness. We had one t.v. that everyone shared. We had more hand made toys and we used our creativity to make play pleasurable. As I think back we didn’t have a lot but we were happy.
We evidently had some similar experiences as children, especially the food issues. My mother prepared the food, and whether we liked or disliked salmon stew or whatever she was serving, we ate it and were grateful. Now, as you mentioned, children are more likely to turn up their noses and demand pizza or chicken nuggets or something. And speaking of the pizza, it almost gives me a headache to read and ponder all of the topping choices.Tina Renee Green // October 21, 2009 at 5:04 am
Yeah its inevitable, the more you get the more you want, the more you have the more you wish you could have.
When I was living with my father and stepmother I didn’t have the best childhood, I wont say I had the worst, but my father was a Vietnam Vet and he has many of the psychological issues that come with that: PTSD, mood disorders, agent orange, he hurt his back, among others. Needless to say he has been forced to get help, but he sees it as a game rather than therapy. So no matter how many sessions he goes to he will never recover.
There were times of anger, disappointment, mood swings, days he wouldn’t get out of bed, break down crying for no reason, or because of all the medications he is prescribed just not be there.
This made living with him very difficult and I remember sitting up many of a nights screaming to myself and counting down the days till I left for college. When I got to college it was somewhat better. More freedom, but after a while, others began to disappoint me.
I then moved to HGTC and I’m looking forward to transferring to coastal.
Even though we as people can never be happy for ever, those moments in our lives define who we are, who we think we are I should probably say.
Ill be happy when I graduate from CCU and then go on for my masters but then what? Hopefully I’ve picked the one profession that I can go to work everyday and it not even feel like work.
Tina, I'm glad you found the blog and posted such a good comment. What's your major at HGTC, and what will you major in at CCU?Chris Hinson // October 20, 2009 at 7:38 pm
I believe that happiness has became so much more involved with money. When I was younger and I had no worries at all is when I was really the happiest in my life. Now I define happiness as a sort of materialistic idea. “If only I could be famous or If only I could have lots of money my life would be better”. The way that I look at happiness now is a different story. I have a greater grasp on life and what can be accomplished in my time here. What makes me happy is being goofy and being with my friends. I like to think that I’m just a kid at heart and that everything that comes at me in life I will try to make my own story out of it and make it fun and silly. So for me, happiness can last as I am not a person that thrives on money and power, I live for laughter and spontaneity. Rough or smooth, my happiness will last a lifetime.
By the way. I was not able to watch the video before I posted as it was removed from You Tube.
Huh? It had been removed from utube? Ah, that's too bad because I think you'd have enjoyed it. Seems like you have a good handle on happiness.Diane // October 17, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I really enjoyed the video. It was very funny! It totaly makes sense. We i guess as you say human nature want more and than want more than the last. But if we think about it that is why we keep getting better and better. we start at 1 and get to 10. it is built into us so we keep pushing for more so i think it can be a good thing to!!!
I agree that we should keep trying to be the best our combinations of heredity and environment allow us to be. Self-actualization is a worthy goal. At the same time, the quest for a bigger house, snazzier wardrobe, or latest gizmo can keep us feeling somehow dissatisfied.AshleyAnderson // October 17, 2009 at 12:02 pm
I alway think to myself when im sending bills out how nice it would be to win just a little bit of money and then i could pay my bills off and be happy. The truth of the matter is i would must likely go right back in debt for something else i need at this time in my life. but it alway easy to blame hard times and not be happy on not haveing money or a good job but when really you are what you make of yourself and if your not happy with your life only you have that ability to change that and make your life a better life.
This reminds me of the old saying that says if you could kick the person most responsible for your problems you couldn't sit down for six months.Jerlene Atkinson // October 14, 2009 at 5:48 pm
I have learned in my short time here on earth that things and people only make you happy for a short time. You must continue to set goals for yourself and strive to reach those goals. Only God can give you true happiness.
"For a short time" is what this principle is all about.Jennifer Pearson // October 13, 2009 at 7:56 pm
First, I am going to start by saying that I loved this video…it cracked me up~and the best part is, he’s so right about all of it! I think that’s what makes it so funny – because I can see myself doing some of the things he is talking about.
Anyway, on happiness lasting – I believe that happiness is what we make of it. If you are happy always wanting to go farther and achieve more, I don’t really think that’s a bad thing. The thing is, the way you look at it. People are very easily unsatisfied these days. It is better to take a step back and realize how much you DO have instead of how much you WANT to have or do. People strive to be better, that is why we have competition sports, college, jobs, etc. I am a very happy person! I am enrolled in college right now(of course) and I am in a great relationship. I am excited about becoming a nurse and getting married, but for right now, I feel that I am happy too:-) Get it? Being happy can be a now and then type thing!
Lots of good points here, especially the part about taking a step back and realizing how much you do have instead of focusing on what you don't have.Cheryl Graham // October 13, 2009 at 4:22 pm
I believe happiness can last if both parties put all their effort into it. In my opinion happiness seemed to last alot longer in the past when, for example, my grandparents were younger. They learned to just accept each other the way they were because of the beliefs they were brought up with. Today people know that they don’t have to stay with someone if they don’t want to.
It's true that the world has changed tremendously, and it seems that the more we have (choices, opportunities, freedom, material things), the less happy we tend to be. We keep thinking that if we had this t.v. or car or new purse, then we'd really be happy, but it doesn't work that way for long.Nika Reddick // October 12, 2009 at 1:59 pm
I really think that happiness can last if you but a lot of effort into it. I have also dreamed like Jennifer Griffith that I would be married and have the perfect family life and have a good job. Yes I did get married 3 years ago and had a big wedding. That only lasted 2weeks and then I started looking at my job status and decided that I need to make a change in my life.. I can honestly say that sinced I’ve worked on myself and making myself happy that I have found happiness and peace in my life. It’s a thing that I have to work on everyday. To make myslef happy first.
Are you one of those people who spent so much time and effort on planning the wedding that you didn't think that much about the marriage itself.Christie Hooks // October 11, 2009 at 9:11 pm
The adaptation principle is very present in my life. I have a list of things that I want to do with my life and in my lifetime. I can cross off one thing and I will add two more things. I just keep thinking of something else I want to do. As human beings most of us are always trying to improve our lives (and make them simpler). We always want what we want, even if it is not always good for us. But we live and we learn, and that’s life! I particularly enjoyed this clip because it is very true and it took me back to my childhood. I remember when I was a kid enjoying playing outside (in the dirt) and the more simple things in life; like eating homemade ice-cream, boiled peanuts, playing around with my sister and cousins, trying to catch grasshoppers in the backyard, etc. The list could go on. I try my hardest to instill these memories into my children; so they can have these same memories when they grow up. I feel with all this technology (which I happen to like myself) they grow up so fast and don’t take time to enjoy the view!
Enjoyed reading your comments. I'm wondering if your children enjoy the grasshoppers, etc. or whether they're bored by such activities...since they're so inundated with a more high-tech, exciting array of possibilities.Nakisha Gibson // October 11, 2009 at 6:18 pm
I often times think to myself if I had this or that or if I could win the lottery as well, but looking at my life where i am now and where I came from I am truly bless and couldn’t be more thankful. It’s not to often that i think of how good i got because I sometimes compare myself to other but why should i I know that the people i comparing myself to is doing the same thing I’m doing camparing themself to someone else as well. I learning though to be thankful or count my blessing today because they could be taken away.
Ah, very interesting. What you've described is the relative deprivation principle of happiness...very powerful and so true.Karen Taylor // October 8, 2009 at 11:03 pm
I saw that show when it aired, it was funny. I can see this in my life. When I was growing up, we didn’t have 3/4 of what my kids have today. They click through 75 channels on t.v. and say there’s nothing on. Lottery winners may appear happy while spending their good fortune, but then return to being miserable. There is an underlying issue for why that person is unhappy. Trying to put a band-aid over a severe cut wont stop the bleeding.
What about in your own life? Have you ever felt that you'd be happy, happy, happy IF ONLY, and then when the IF ONLY came true, you were happy for only a short time because you adapted so quickly to it?Jennifer Griffith // October 8, 2009 at 2:43 am
I have seen the adaptation principle in my life. I have always dreamed of having the perfect family and thought that would complete my life. Well I have the perfect family and a few years ago, I felt that I needed more. I decided to enroll in college and have been very focused on my goal of becoming a nurse. I had planned on stopping with my ADN, now I am thinking that I want to continue and achieve my BSN. I do think that I will be happy when I achieve my goal, but I can honestly say that I am not sure that I will be happier than I am now. I guess time will tell. I do know that it is really the simplest things in life that bring me the most happiness, this is something that would never have rolled out of my mouth ten years ago.
Great examples. Kind of makes you wonder what's going to roll out of your mouth ten years hence.