Showing papers by "Richard A. Easterlin published in 2007"
Posted Content•
TL;DR: In the United States happiness varies positively with socio-economic status; is fairly constant over time; rises to midlife and then declines; and is lower among younger than older birth cohorts as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: In the United States happiness, on average, varies positively with socio-economic status; is fairly constant over time; rises to midlife and then declines; and is lower among younger than older birth cohorts These four patterns of mean happiness can be predicted rather closely from the mean satisfaction people report with each of four domains — finances, family life, work, and health Even though the domain satisfaction patterns typically differ from each other and from that for happiness, they come together in a way that explains quite well the overall patterns of happiness The importance of any given domain depends on the happiness relation under study (by socio-economic status, time, age or birth cohort), and no single domain is invariably the key to happiness
70 citations
Posted Content•
TL;DR: In contrast to the results of simple international point-of-time comparisons, history suggests that improvements in many realms of life are not an automatic result of economic growth as mentioned in this paper, and the sequence of improvements in various aspects of QoL is not always the same from one part of the world to another.
Abstract: To what extent are improvements in quality of life (material living levels, health, education, political and civil rights, happiness, and the like) associated with economic growth? International comparisons of quality of life (QoL) conditions almost always point to a strong positive association with real GDP per capita. Historical experience, however, frequently belies the results of these comparisons. More often than not the timing of various improvements in QoL, material living levels excepted, is different from that in real GDP per capita – some indicators preceding, others following. Moreover, the sequence of improvements in various aspects of QoL is not always the same from one part of the world to another. And sometimes, as in the case of happiness and life satisfaction, QoL indicators remain unchanged despite a doubling or more of real GDP per capita. In contrast to the results of simple international point-of-time comparisons, history suggests that improvements in many realms of life are not an automatic result of economic growth.
11 citations
TL;DR: This paper provided a brief commentary on this article, whose authorship includes several scholars, from whose stimulating ideas I continue to benefit and who continue to provide stimulating ideas from their stimulating ideas.
Abstract: I am grateful for the invitation to provide a brief commentary on this article, whose authorship includes several scholars, from whose stimulating ideas I continue to benefit. If economics is frequ...
9 citations
Posted Content•
TL;DR: In the United States happiness varies positively with socio-economic status; is fairly constant over time; rises to midlife and then declines; and is lower among younger than older birth cohorts.
Abstract: In the United States happiness, on average, varies positively with socio-economic status; is fairly constant over time; rises to midlife and then declines; and is lower among younger than older birth cohorts. These four patterns of mean happiness can be predicted rather closely from the mean satisfaction people report with each of four domains – finances, family life, work, and health. Even though the domain satisfaction patterns typically differ from each other and from that for happiness, they come together in a way that explains quite well the overall patterns of happiness. The importance of any given domain depends on the happiness relation under study (by socio-economic status, time, age or birth cohort), and no single domain is invariably the key to happiness.
7 citations