What is happiness? Why are some people
happier than others? This new edition of The
Psychology of Happiness provides a comprehensive
and up-to-date account of research into the nature of
happiness. Major research developments have occurred
since publication of the first edition in 1987 – here
they are brought together for the first time, often with
surprising conclusions. Drawing on research from the
disciplines of sociology, physiology and economics as
well as psychology, Michael Argyle explores the nature
of positive and negative emotions, and the psychological
and cognitive processes involved in their generation.
Accessible and wide-ranging coverage is provided on key
issues such as: the measurements and study of happiness,
mental and physical health; the effect of friendship,
marriage and other relationships on positive moods;
happiness, mental and physical health; the effects of
work, employment and leisure; and the effects of money,
class and education. The importance of individual
personality traits such as optimism, purpose in life,
internal control and having the right kind of goals is
also analysed. New to this edition is additional
material on national differences, the role of humour,
and the effect of religion. Are some countries happier
than others? This is just one of the controversial
issues addressed by the author along the way. Finally
the book discusses the practical application of research
in this area, such as how happiness can be enhanced, and
the effects of happiness on health, altruism and
sociability. This definitive and thought-provoking work
will be compulsive reading for students, researchers and
the interested general
reader
|
|