Synonyms
Definition
Hedonic level of affect is how well one feels most of the time. In other words, the degree to which positive affect typically outweighs negative affect. Estimates of how well we usually feel figure prominently in the evaluation of our life as a whole and as such hedonic level is a component of happiness.
Description
“Happiness” is commonly understood as the subjective enjoyment of one’s life as a whole. When estimating how much we like the life we live, we tend to use two more or less distinct sources of information: our affects and our thoughts. One can observe that one feels fine most of the time, and one can also judge that life seems to meet one’s (conscious) demands. These appraisals do not necessarily coincide. We may feel fine generally but nevertheless be aware that we failed to realize our aspirations. Or we may have surpassed our aspirations but nevertheless feel miserable. Using the word “happiness” in both...
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Veenhoven, R. (2022). Affective Component of Happiness. In: Maggino, F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69909-7_43-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69909-7_43-2
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