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Happiness Across Cultures pp 253–270Cite as

Happy Villages and Unhappy Slums? Understanding Happiness Determinants in Peru

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Part of the book series: Science Across Cultures: the History of Non-Western Science ((SACH,volume 6))

Abstract

Generally, people living in rural areas declare they are happier than people living in cities. This is particularly significant in Peru, a South American country with great levels of inequality and traditionally low levels of reported happiness. This chapter investigates differences in levels of reported happiness between urban and rural Peruvians using regression analysis to test two hypotheses. The first concerns the possibility that urban dwellers are unhappier because of their higher emphasis on social comparison. The second one is related to the different understandings people have about the meaning of happiness. It argues that people living in cities who do not internalise concepts of happiness linked to extrinsic or materialist values will be less happy than those who adapt to a materialist environment. Using data from seven communities in Peru, the study finds that the two hypotheses partially explain the differences in happiness between rural and urban Peruvians. Further research using country-representative data is needed to confirm these findings.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    2009 data for Colombia and Peru, 2008 for Mexico. Information available at http://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2172rank.html.

  2. 2.

    At 15 July 2005 1 Peruvian Nuevo sol equalled 0.25451 Euro (http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Development and the Environment (SUM), University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    Mònica Guillen-Royo

  2. University of Girona, Girona, Spain

    Jackeline Velazco

  3. Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Lima, Peru

    Jackeline Velazco

Authors
  1. Mònica Guillen-Royo
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  2. Jackeline Velazco
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mònica Guillen-Royo .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Hampshire College, West Street 893, Amherst, 01002, Massachusetts, USA

    Helaine Selin

  2. , Counselling and Psychology, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Wai Tsui Crescent 10, Hong Kong, 2570 7110, Hong Kong SAR

    Gareth Davey

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Guillen-Royo, M., Velazco, J. (2012). Happy Villages and Unhappy Slums? Understanding Happiness Determinants in Peru. In: Selin, H., Davey, G. (eds) Happiness Across Cultures. Science Across Cultures: the History of Non-Western Science, vol 6. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2700-7_18

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