Skip to main content
Log in

A life satisfaction measure based on judgment theory

  • Published:
Social Indicators Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A life satisfaction measure is developed in this paper drawn from a judgment-type theory. This measure is based on the theoretical notion of life satisfaction being a function of a comparison between perceived life accomplishments and a set of evoked standards. These standards are classified as to their derivative sources (e.g., the life accomplishments of relatives, friends, associates, past experience, self-concept of strengths and weaknesses, and average person in a similar position) and different forms (e.g., standards based on ideal, expected, deserved, minimum tolerable, and predicted outcomes). Two studies were conducted on the elderly to ascertain the internally consistent and possessing construct validity correlations through high and internally consistent and possessing construct validity correlations through high and positive correlations with the Delighted-Terrible Life Satisfaction Scale; through significant and positive correlations with cognitive age, income, employment, education, marital status, social contact, activity, religiosity, morale, television viewership, and selfrated health; and through nonsignificant correlations with chronological age, gender, and parenthood.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • AlstonJ. P., LoweG. D., and WrigleyA.: 1974, ‘Socio-economic correlates for four dimensions of self-perceived satisfaction’, Human Organization 33, pp. 99–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, M. R.: 1977, ‘A Study of the Relationship between Life Satisfaction and Self-concept, Locus of Control Satisfaction with Primary Relationships, and Work Satisfaction’, Doctoral dissertation, Michigan State University, Dissertation Abstracts International 38, 2638 9A (University Microfilms No. 77-25, 214).

  • AndrewsF. M. and WitheyS. B.: 1976, Social Indicators of Well-being: America's Perception of Life Quality (Plenum Press, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • BarakB. and SchiffmanL.: 1981, ‘Cognitive age: a nonchronological age variable’, in K. B.Monroe (Ed.), Advances in Consumer Research (Association for Consumer Research: Ann Arbor, MI), 8, pp. 602–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • BeiserM.: 1974, ‘Components and correlates of mental well-being’, Journal of Health and Social Behavior 15, pp. 320–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • BengstonV. L., KaschauP. L., and RaganP. K.: 1977, ‘The Impact of Social Structure of Aging Individuals’, in J. S.Birren and K. W.Schaie (eds.), Handbook of the Psychology of Aging (Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York), pp. 327–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • BortnerR. W. and HultschD. F.: 1970, ‘A multivariate analysis of correlates of life satisfaction in adulthood’, Journal of Gerontology 25, pp. 41–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • BradburnN. M.: 1969, The Structure of Psychological Well-being (Aldine, Chicago).

    Google Scholar 

  • BrickmanP., and CampbellD. T.: 1971, ‘Hedonic relativism and planning the good society’, in M. H.Apply (ed.) Adaptation Level Theory: A Symposium (Academic Press, New York), pp. 287–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • BrickmanP., CoatesD., and Janoff-BulmanR.: 1978, ‘Lottery winners and accident victims: is happiness relative?’ Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 36, pp. 917–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • CameronP.: 1974, ‘Social stereotypes: three faces of happiness’, Psychology Today 8, pp. 63–4.

    Google Scholar 

  • CampbellA.: 1981, The sense of well-being in America: recent patterns and trends (McGraw-Hill, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • CampbellA., ConverseP. E. and RodgersW. L.: 1976, The Quality of American life (Russel Sage Foundation, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • CantrilH.: 1965, The Pattern of Human Concerns (Rutgers University Press, New Brunswick, NJ).

    Google Scholar 

  • CarpF. M. and CarpA.: 1982, ‘Test of a model of domain satisfaction and well being: equity considerations’, Research on Aging 4, pp. 503–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • ChamberlainK.: 1988, ‘On the structure of well being’, Social Indicators Research 20, pp. 518–604.

    Google Scholar 

  • ClementeF. and SauerW. J.: 1976, ‘Life satisfaction in the United States’, Social Forces 54, pp. 621–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • CohnR. M.: 1979, ‘Age and the satisfactions from work’, Journal of Gerontology 34, pp. 264–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • ConteV. C. and SalamonM. J.: 1982, ‘An objective approach to the measurement and use of life satisfaction with older persons’, Measurement and Evaluation in Guidance 15, pp. 194–200.

    Google Scholar 

  • CronbachL. J.: 1951, ‘Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests’, Psychometrika 16, pp. 297–334.

    Google Scholar 

  • CsikszentmihalyiJ. and FigurskiT. J.: 1982, ‘Self-awarencess and aversive experience in everyday life’, Journal of Personality 50, pp. 15–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • CutlerS. J.: 1973, ‘Voluntary association participation and life satisfaction: a cautionary research note’, Journal of Gerontology 28, pp. 96–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • CzajaS. J.: 1975, ‘Age differences in life satisfaction as a function of discrepancy between real and ideal self-concepts’, Experimental Aging Research 1, pp. 81–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • DienerE.: 1984, ‘Subjective well-being’, Psychological Bulletin 95, pp. 542–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., Emmons, R., Larsen, R., and Griffin, S.: 1983, The Satisfaction With Life Scale, Working Paper, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

  • Drumboole, W. P.: 1981, ‘Self-concept and life satisfaction as perceived by young, middle-aged, and senior Adults’, Doctoral Dissertation, East Texas State University, Dissertation Abstracts International 41, 2939A. (University Microfilms No. 80-27, 666).

  • Dupuy, H. J.: 1978, ‘The research edition of the general psychological well-being schedule’, Unpublished manuscript.

  • EasterlinR. A.: 1974, ‘Does economic growth improve the human lot? some empirical evidence’, in P. A.David and M. W.Reder (Eds.), Nations and Households in Economic Growth (Academic Press, New York) pp. 89–125.

    Google Scholar 

  • EdwardsN. J. and KlemmackD. L.: 1973, ‘Correlates of life satisfaction: A reexamination’, Journal of Gerontology 28, pp. 497–502.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J. Levine, S., and Diener, E.: 1983, ‘Factors predicting satisfaction judgments’, Paper presented at the meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association Convention, May, Chicago.

  • FeinmanS.: 1978, ‘The blind as ordinary people’, Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness 72, pp. 231–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • FerberR.: 1981, ‘The role of response rates in evaluating manuscripts for publication’, in K. B.Monroe (Ed.), Advances in Consumer Research (Ann Arbor, MI: Association for Consumer Research) 8, pp. 31–4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fordyce, M. W.: 1977, ‘The happiness measures: A sixty-second index of emotional well-being and mental health’, Unpublished manuscript.

  • Fordyce, M. W.: 1978, ‘Prospectus: the self-description inventory’, Unpublished manuscript.

  • FreedmanJ.: 1978, Happy People: What Happiness Is, Who Has It and Why (Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • Freudiger, P. T.: 1980, ‘Life satisfaction among American women’, Doctoral dissertation, North Texas State University, Dissertation Abstracts International 40, 6438A. (University Microfilms No., 80-12, 882).

  • GeorgeL. K. and BearonL. B.: 1980, Quality of Life in Older Persons: Meaning and Measurement (Human Sciences Press, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • GerrardC. K., ReznikoffM., and RiklanM.: 1982 ‘Level of aspiration, life satisfaction and locus of control in older adults’, Experimental Aging Research 8, pp. 119–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibbs, B. A. M.: 1973 ‘Relative deprivation and self-reported happiness of Blacks: 1946–1966’, Doctoral dissertation, The University of Texas, Dissertation Abstracts International 34, 885A. (University Microfilms No. 73-18, 429).

  • Ginandes, C. S.: 1977, ‘Life satisfaction and self-esteem values in men of four different socio-economic groups’, Doctoral dissertation, Boston University, Dissertation Abstracts International 38, 1880B. (University Microfilms No. 77-21, 590).

  • GlennN. D.: 1975, ‘The contribution of marriage to the psychological well-being of males and females’, Journal of Marriage and the Family 37, pp. 594–600.

    Google Scholar 

  • GlennN. D. and McLanahanS.: 1981, ‘The effects of offspring on the psychological well-being of older adults’, Journal of Marriage and the Family 43, pp. 138–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • GlennN. D. and WeaverC. N.: 1979, ‘A note on family situation and global happiness’, Social Forces 57, pp. 960–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • GoodsteinJ., ZautraA., and GoodhartD.: 1982, ‘A test of the utility of social indicators for behavioral health service planning’ Social Indicators Research 10, pp. 273–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • GurinG., VeroffJ., and FeldS.: 1960, Americans View Their Mental Health (Basic Books, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • Higgins, D. H.: 1978, ‘Self-concept and its relation to everyday stress in middle-aged women: a longitudinal study’, Doctoral dissertation, Illinois Institute of Technology, Dissertation Abstracts International 38, 4537B. (University Microfilms No. 78-00, 865.).

  • HoustonJ. P.: 1981, The Pursuit of Happiness (Scott, Foresman, Glenview, IL).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kammann, R.: 1982, ‘Personal circumstances and life events as poor predictors of happiness’, Paper presented at the 90th annual convention of the American Psychological Association (August), Washington, D.C.

  • KammannR. and FlettR.: 1983, ‘Affectometer 2: a scale to measure current level of general happiness’, Australian Journal of Psychology 35, pp. 257–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • KanukL. and BerensonC.: 1975, ‘Mail surveys and response rates: a literature review’, Journal of Marketing Research 12, pp. 440–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • KimmelD. C., PriceK. F., and WalkerJ. W.: 1978, ‘Retirement choice and retirement satisfaction’, Journal of Gerontology 33, pp. 575–585.

    Google Scholar 

  • KozmaA. and StonesM. J.: 1980, ‘The measurement of happiness: development of the Memorial University of New Foundland Scale of Happiness (MUNSH)’, Journal of Gerontology 35, pp. 906–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • KozmaA. and StonesM. J.: 1978, ‘Some research issues and findings in the study of psychological well-being in the aged’, Canadian Psychological Review 18, pp. 241–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Larsen, R. J.: 1983, ‘Manual for the Affect Intensity Measure’, Unpublished manuscript.

  • Larsen, R. J., Diener, E., and Emmons, R. A.: 1983: ‘An evaluation of subjective well-being measures’, Working Paper, University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.

  • LarsonR.: 1978, ‘Thirty years of research on the subjective well-being of older Americans’, Journal of Gerontology 33, pp. 109–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • LawtonM. P.: 1975, ‘The Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale: A revision’, Journal of Gerontology 30, pp. 85–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • MaddoxG. L. and DouglassE. B.: 1973, ‘Self-assessment of health: a longitudinal study of elderly subjects’, Journal of Health and Social Behavior 14, pp. 87–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • ManciniJ. A., and OrthnerD. K.: 1980, ‘Situational influences on leisure satisfaction and morale in old age’, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 28, pp. 466–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • MarkidesK. S. and MartinH. W.: 1979, ‘A casual model of life satisfaction among the elderly’, Journal of Gerontology 34, pp. 86–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGillV. J.: 1967, The Ideal of Happiness (Praeger, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • McClureR. F. and LodenN.: 1982, ‘Religious activity denomination membership and life satisfaction’, Psychology, A Quarterly Journal of Human Behavior 19, pp. 12–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • McNeilJ. K., StonesM. J., and KozmaA.: 1986, ‘Subjective well-being in later life: issues concerning measurement and prediction’, Social Indicators Research 18, pp. 35–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • MichalosA. C.: 1980, ‘Satisfaction and happiness’, Social Indicators Research 8 pp. 385–422.

    Google Scholar 

  • MichalosA. C.: 1985, ‘Multiple discrepancies theory’, Social Indicators Research 16, pp. 347–413.

    Google Scholar 

  • MichalosA. C.: 1986a, ‘Job Satisfaction Marital Satisfaction, and the Quality of Life: A Review and Preview’, in F. M.Andrews (Ed.), Research on the Quality of Life (University of Michigan Institute for Social Research: Ann Arbor), pp. 57–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Michalos, A. C.: 1986b, ‘What makes people happy?’ Paper presented at the Conference on Quality of Life (October), Oslo, Norway.

  • MillerJ.: 1977, ‘Studying satisfaction: modifying models, eliciting expectations, posing problems, and making meaningful measurements’, in H. K. Hunt, The conceptualization of consumer satisfaction and dissatisfaction (Cambridge, MA: Marketing Sciences Institute).

    Google Scholar 

  • MorganM.: 1984, ‘Heavy television viewing and perceived quality of life’, Journalism Quarterly 61, pp. 499–504, 740.

    Google Scholar 

  • MorrisJ. N. and SherwoodS.: 1975, ‘A retesting and modification of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale’, Journal of Gerontology 30, pp. 77–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • NearJ. P., RiceR. W. and HuntR. G.: 1978, ‘Work and extra-work correlates of life and job satisfaction’, Academy of Management Journal 21, pp 248–264.

    Google Scholar 

  • NearJ. P., RiceR. W., and HuntR. G.: 1980, ‘The relationship between work and nonwork domains: a review of empirical research’, Academy of Management Review 5, pp. 415–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • NeugartenB. L., HavighurstR. J., and TobinS. S.: 1961, ‘The measurement of life satisfaction’, Journal of Gerontology 16, pp. 134–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Okun, M. A., Stock, W. A., Haring, M. J. and Witter, R. A. (in press), ‘A quantitative synthesis of the social activity/subjective well-being relationship’, Research on Aging.

  • Olsen, J. K.: 1980, ‘The effect of change in activity in voluntary associations on life satisfaction among people 60 and over who have been active through time’, Doctoral dissertation, University of Maryland, Dissertation Abstracts International 40, 5211A. (University Microfilms No. 80-07, 107).

  • PalmoreE.: 1979, ‘Predictors of successful aging’, The Gerontologist 19, pp. 427–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • PalmoreE. and KivittV.: 1977, ‘Change in life satisfaction: a longitudinal study of persons aged 46–70’, Journal of Gerontology 32, pp. 311–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • PalmoreE. and LuikartC.: 1972, ‘Health and social factors related to life satisfaction’, Journal of Health and Social Behavior 13, pp. 68–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • ParducciA.: 1968, ‘The relativism of absolute judgments’, Scientific American 219, pp. 84–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parducci, A.: 1982, ‘Toward a relational theory of happiness’, Paper presented at the 90th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association (August), Washington, DC.

  • PetersG. R.: 1971, ‘Self-conceptions of the aged, age identification and aging’, The Gerontologist 11, pp. 69–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, J. L.: 1975, ‘Personality effects self-esteem, need motivation, and locus of control on the life satisfaction of older black adults’, Doctoral dissertation, University of Michigan, Dissertation Abstracts International 35, 5700A. (University Microfilms No. 75-10, 256).

  • Pomerantz, S. C.: 1978, ‘Adolescent identity, self-esteem, and physical self-satisfaction as a function of age and sex: do they predict satisfaction with one's social milieu?’, Doctoral dissertation, Temple University, Dissertation Abstracts International 39, 961B. (University Microfilms No. 78-12, 191).

  • RahtzD. R., SirgyM. J. and MeadowH. L.: 1988, ‘Elderly life satisfaction and television viewership: replication and extension’, in S.Shapiro and H. H.Walle (eds.), 1988 AMA Winter Educator's Conference — Marketing: A Return to the Broader Dimensions, (American Marketing Association, Chicago, IL), pp. 409–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • RahtzD. R., SirgyM. J. and MeadowH. L.: 1989, ‘The elderly audience: correlates of television orientation’, Journal of Advertising 18, pp. 9–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • RayR. O.: 1979, ‘Life satisfaction and activity/involvement: implications for leisure service’, Journal of Leisure Research 11, pp. 112–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • ReidD. W. and ZieglerM.: 1980, ‘Validity and stability of a new desired control measure pertaining to psychological adjustment of the elderly’, Journal of Gerontology 35, pp. 395–402.

    Google Scholar 

  • RiceR. W., NearJ. P., and HuntR. G.: 1979, ‘Unique variance in job and life satisfaction associated with work-related and extra-workplace variables’, Human Relations 32, pp. 605–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • RiceR. W., NearJ. P., and HuntR. G.: 1980, ‘The job satisfaction/life satisfaction relationship: a review of empirical research’, Basic and Applied Social Psychology 1, pp. 37–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • RichinsM. L.: 1987, ‘Media, materialism, and human happiness’, in S.Shapiro and H. H.Walle (eds.), 1988 AMA Winter Educator's Conference — Marketing: A Return to the Broader Dimensions, (American Marketing Association, Chicago, IL), pp. 352–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Riddick, C. C.: 1980, ‘The life satisfaction of retired and employed older women: a reexamination of the disengagement theory’, Doctoral dissertation, Pennsylvania State University, Dissertation Abstracts International 41, 2327A. (University Microfilms No. 80-24, 483).

  • SauerW.: 1977, ‘Morale of the urban aged: a regression analysis by race’, Journal of Gerontology 32, pp. 600–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • SchwartzN. and CloreG. L.: 1983, ‘Mood, misattribution, and judgments of well-being: informative and directive functions of affective states’, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 45, pp. 513–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • SirgyM. J.: 1980, ‘Toward a psychological model of consumer satisfaction/dissatisfaction’, in R.Day and H. K.Hunt (eds.), New Findings on Consumer Satisfaction/Dissatisfaction and Complaining Behavior, (Division of Research, School of Business, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN), pp. 40–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • SirgyM. J.: 1983, ‘Social Cognition and Consumer Behavior (Praeger, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • SirgyM. J.: 1984a, Marketing as a Social Behavior: A General Systems Theory (Praeger, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • SirgyM. J.: 1984b, ‘A Social Cognition Model of Consumer Satisfaction/Dissatisfaction’, Psychology and Marketing 1, pp. 27–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • SirgyM. J.: 1985, ‘Using Self-Congruity and Ideal Congruity to Predict Purchase Behavior’, Journal of Business Research 13, pp. 196–206.

    Google Scholar 

  • SirgyM. J.: 1986, Self-Congruity: Toward a Theory of Personality and Cybernetics (Praeger, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • SirgyM. J.: 1987a, ‘Toward a general systems theory of social behavior: A psychocybernetic perspective’, Systems Research 4, pp. 93–110.

    Google Scholar 

  • SirgyM. J.: 1987b, ‘A social cognition model of consumer problem recognition’, The Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science 15, pp. 53–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • SirgyM. J. and TyagiP.: 1986, ‘An attempt toward an integrated theory of consumer psychology and decision-making’, Systems Research 3, pp. 161–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • SpreitzerE. and SnyderE. E.: 1974, ‘Correlates of life satisfaction among the aged’, Journal of Gerontology 29, pp. 454–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stock, W. A., Okun, M. A., Haring, M. J., and Witter, R. A.: 1983, ‘Age and subjective well-being: a meta-analysis’, in R. J. Light, ed., Evaluation Studies: Review Annual, (Sage, pp. 279–302).

  • Tellegen, A.: 1979, ‘Differential Personality Questionnaire’, Unpublished manuscript.

  • ToselandR. and RaschJ.: 1979–1980, ‘Correlates of life satifaction: an AID analysis’, International Journal of Aging and Human Development 10, pp. 203–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • UnderwoodB. and FromingW. J.: 1980, ‘The Mood Survey: a personality measure of happy and sad moods’, Journal of Personality Assessment 44, pp. 404–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • VanCoevering, V. G. R.: 1974, ‘An exploratory study of middle-aged and older widows to investigate those variables that differentiate high and low life satisfaction’, Doctoral dissertation, Wayne State University, Dissertation Abstracts International 34, 3895A. (University Microfilms No. 73-31, 788).

  • WeaverC. N.: 1978, ‘Job satisfaction as a component of happiness among males and females’, Personnel Psychology 31, pp. 831–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wessman, A. E.: 1957, ‘A psychological inquiry into satisfaction and happiness’, Doctoral dissertation, Princeton University, Dissertation Abstracts International 17, 1384. (University Microfilms No. 00-20, 168).

  • WicklundR. A. and BrehmJ. W.: 1976, Perspectives on Cognitive Dissonance (Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale, NJ).

    Google Scholar 

  • WilsonW.: 1967, ‘Correlates of avowed happiness’, Psychological Bulletin 67, pp. 294–306.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, W. R.: 1960, ‘An attempt to determine some correlates and dimensions of hedonic tone’, Doctoral dissertation, Northwestern University, Dissertation Abstracts 22, 2814. (University Microfilms No. 60-6588).

  • Wortman, C. and Silver, R.: 1982, ‘Coping with undesirable life events’, Paper presented at the 90th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association (August), Washington, DC.

  • WyerR. S.: 1975, Cognitive Organization and Change: An Information Processing Approach (Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Potomac, MD).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeglan, M. E.: 1977, ‘The impact of primary relationships on life satisfaction of the elderly’, Doctoral dissertation, Washington State University, Dissertation Abstracts International 37, 5372A. (University Microfilms No. 77-2892).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

The authors names appear in alphabetical order. All authors contributed equally to this article

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Meadow, H.L., Mentzer, J.T., Rahtz, D.R. et al. A life satisfaction measure based on judgment theory. Soc Indic Res 26, 23–59 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00303824

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00303824

Keywords

Navigation