The how of Happiness
Semester Paper Description
The Relationship between Happiness and Psychological Health
Your paper should be typed, 12 pt. font, single spaced, and have 1” margins. See below for a detailed
description of what should be addressed in this paper. The information for this paper should come from your
book, “The How of Happiness” by Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky who is a leading researcher in the area of happiness.
This book is an incredible resource for discovering strategies toward achieving and sustaining happiness, and is
based on decades of scientific research findings. You should read this book, as it will give you an overview of
the field of happiness.
Prepare an 8–9–page report on the psychology of happiness (I am not as concerned about page length as I am
about having complete answers with references to details in your reading). Please copy and paste the
questions, and then put your THOROUGH responses below each question. Writing your paper this way
allows for me to see to what you are responding. It is expected that you will draw from you’re the How of
Happiness book, however, you may supplement your answers/responses with other sources as well—e.g., your
text and the Internet. Please cite all your sources in the body of your paper (page number[s]), and please
include a reference page at the end of your report (your reference page is an additional page—that is, it is not
included in the 8–9 pages). REMEMBER, SAY ALL RESPONSES IN YOUR OWN WORDS—NO QUOTES
ARE ALLOWED (EVEN IF PROPERLY CITED).
Understanding happiness:
1. According to the author, what is happiness and how is it attained? (Please cite your sources).
2. In chapter 2, the author asks the reader to assess him or herself. In what ways are judgments of happiness
made? That is, how does one assess his or her happiness levels? Are these methods valid?
3. In making judgments about your own happiness, where are you on that continuum and where are your
friends and family?
4. What are some happiness “myths” described by the author? Why does she consider these “myths?”
5. What is meant by “hedonic adaptation,” and how does that fit in with the study of happiness?
6. What is the happiness “set point,” and what research supports this idea? Is there refuting evidence?
7. Are people predisposed to experience a certain level of happiness? Is that the same thing as saying our
happiness level is determined? Why or why not?
8. When discussing the promise of “intentional activity,” the author discusses the possibility of increasing
one’s happiness. What are her conclusions, and what evidence does she have for holding such conclusions?
Relating these ideas to your life
9. Take one of the given assessments on happiness, and then describe the results regarding your level of
happiness (please describe the scale that you used). Now, assess your closest friend. Are you similar or
different?
10. Now take the Person–Fit Activity Diagnostic? That is, after taking this assessment, what were your four
happiness activities? Then, give this assessment to your closest friend. Were the results similar to your
own? What conclusions do you draw from comparing your scores?
11. What are the 12 happiness activities mentioned by Dr. Lyubomirsky? How do these activities improve
one’s happiness. Please be specific. In what ways do these apply to your life?
12. For a period of one week, focus on two happiness activities and engage in behaviors suggested by the
author. Please describe your experiences over the week (cognitions, emotions, behaviors—please address
each of these in turn). Did these activities help you? Why or why not?
13. What are the five ways to achieve sustainable happiness? Which of these do you practice. Please describe.
14. How might the strategies and activities suggested by Dr. Lyubomirksy affect individuals who are depressed
(please thoroughly read the Postscript: pg. 285). What does she say causes depression and what are the most
hopeful treatments, according to the author?
15. Conclusion. After reading The How of Happiness, form a well–thought–out conclusion.
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