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Repercussions of Individual and Societal Valuing of Happiness

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Positive Psychology in the Middle East/North Africa

Abstract

Western culture has developed an obsession with happiness. At first glance, the premium placed on happiness seems warranted given that a large body of research has highlighted its benefits. Yet, emerging lines of research suggest that the outcomes of being happy are very different from the outcomes of seeking to be happy. Whereas the former is often linked to, and in some cases even causes, positive outcomes, the latter seems to do the opposite. This chapter first reviews research examining the negative effects of pursuing happiness at the individual level. We then highlight a number of important differences between Western and Eastern notions of happiness while also considering how these notions are beginning to change. Next, we examine the consequences stemming from valuing happiness at the societal level. We discuss prominent cultural emotion norms tied to happiness and the implications that these norms have for individual emotional functioning. Throughout, we note that the downsides of pursuing happiness may spread to other Eastern societies, such as the Middle East/North Africa region, through increased exposure to Western values, norms, and practices via globalization. Lastly, we highlight a number of important social determinants of happiness that can inform governments in their mandate to boost the happiness, life satisfaction, and overall wellbeing of their citizens.

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  1. University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, Canada

    Paul K. Lutz & Holli-Anne Passmore

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  1. Editor in Chief, Middle East Journal of Positive Psychology, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Louise Lambert

  2. Department of Social Science, Houston Community College, University of Houston-Downtown, Houston, TX, USA

    Nausheen Pasha-Zaidi

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Lutz, P.K., Passmore, HA. (2019). Repercussions of Individual and Societal Valuing of Happiness. In: Lambert, L., Pasha-Zaidi, N. (eds) Positive Psychology in the Middle East/North Africa. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-13921-6_16

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