Sherif Arafa

Dr. Diener, what are you working on now? What are the newest developments in research on happiness?

On November 11, 2018, I had the privilege of interviewing Ed Diener about well-being and public policy. Dr. Diener is a leading researcher on happiness, the correlates of well-being, and well-being measurement.

Dear reader, let’s think together: What would happen if you are disconnected from your job or studies right now? Who would you be then, and how would you spend your time? How would you see your roles in life beyond the context of work/study, and who are the important people to you?

“Always pursue the best in everything!”

You have surely heard this advice from a friend or from a motivational speaker. You may have even found it logical advice that deserves observance.

Yet is it really sound advice? Is it beneficial as a persistent life style?

Positive Psychology focuses on many constructs that are related to the idea of freedom. Sonja Lyubomirsky found that about 40% of the variation in happiness across a population is attributable to intentional activities rather than genetic or environmental factors. Isn’t she talking about making free decisions?

If freedom is that important, how can we reconcile Positive Psychology with studies that appear to undermine free will?

What does research tell us about the effectiveness of positive affirmations? When are they helpful? How can we make them more likely to be helpful?