THE CROSS-NATIONAL PATTERN OF HAPPINESS - TEST OF PREDICTIONS IMPLIEDIN 3 THEORIES OF HAPPINESS

Authors
VEENHOVEN R EHRHARDT J
Citation
R. Veenhoven et J. Ehrhardt, THE CROSS-NATIONAL PATTERN OF HAPPINESS - TEST OF PREDICTIONS IMPLIEDIN 3 THEORIES OF HAPPINESS, Social indicators research, 34(1), 1995, pp. 33-68
Citations number
18
Categorie Soggetti
Social, Sciences, Interdisciplinary
Journal title
Social indicators research → ACNP
ISSN journal
03038300
Volume
34
Issue
1
Year of publication
1995
Pages
33 - 68
Database
ISI
SICI code
0303-8300(1995)34:1<33:TCPOH->2.0.ZU;2-C
Abstract
Predictions about level and dispersion of happiness in nations are der ived from three theories of happiness: comparison-theory, folklore-the ory and livability-theory. The predictions are tested on two cross nat ional data-sets: a comparative survey among university students in 38 nations in 1985 and a collection of comparable general population surv eys in 28 nations around 1980. Most predictions of comparison-theory a nd folklore-theory are defied by the data. The predictions of livabili ty-theory are all confirmed.