Happiness: The Science behind Your Smile
More books in the category:
Psychology, Neuro-science, Mental Health
by: Daniel Nettle
CLICK HERE for more information and price
Reviews:
Drugs such as nicotine "stimulate the 'wanting' system, making them the perfect self-marketing products. If you are a smoker, you have been duped by chemistry into spending a lot of time and money on doing something you don't actually enjoy." And if you don't smoke? Well, there's nothing really to take solace in since you too are afflicted similarly, but solely by a genetic bug to outperform others (or at least try to); programmed by evolution. Evolution, the author reasons, "hasn't set us up for the attainment of happiness, merely its pursuit." We consequently stive for better pay, a nicer home, newer cars; conquests of all sorts---elevations of our status in some regard, all; even if little of it makes us marginally more happy. "Thus our biggest enemy if we decide we want to be happy beings, is the very psychology we have to use to do it." That is not to say most folks aren't happy. As studies around the world (cited by the author) have shown, from poor and more well-off countries alike, we're happy, generally speaking---most folks rating their happiness between 6-8 on a ten point scale---but more because most of us are genetically predisposed not to wallow in despair (which explains why we are still here; reproductive success being the proof herein). The author doesn't specifically address the issue but it seems implied to conclude that most folks anywhere---from time immemorial to now, in most any country, whether rich or poor---will rationalize that what they have isn't bad (and while it certainly could be better---and perhaps will, with hope), they'd acknowledge being generally happy (ie., the 6, 7, or 8 of 10, above). The point of this book, to summarize then, is that by doing more of what one does, hoping to reach, say, a 9, 9.3, 9.5---you name it, is realistically impossible. Understand we didn't say one can't increase their personal happiness; or move from a 5.5 to a 7 or whatever on the happiness scale. It's just that we ought not deceive ourselves that $20,000 more a year will make us happy, or that an impressive title will, or a new job---or that in 10 years we will be happier because of such expectations being fulfilled. Hell, even winning the lottery doesn't make most "super happy" for any considerable time period, once they adapt to having what they perhaps dreamed would bring them happiness. There's the rub: Wanting, Wanting, Wanting, keeps us going (and is very productive from a macro perspective--capitalism, after all, has exponentially increased living standards for billions), but addiction to always wanting more is only going to get us just that ... more. But don't expect it to bring happiness. Next week should your boss say that she/he, because of a lack of work, needs volunteers to take a few days off without pay, raise your hand. Likewise, spend more time with your kids (even if it costs you financially), your girl-/boyfriend, husband/wife, boating/golfing/tennis friends, etc. Only by doing more of what you really enjoy will you be happier. There's a lot of potential herein too, perhaps. Don't we all spend too much time (wasting time) watching TV and seeing the most talked about (but usually terribly unsatisfying) new films? Sense of community is down (leading to increases of those suffering from depression) TV viewership is always up, & most are working more hours to pay for things they really don't need. This is a small, short book (184 written 4" x 6 size pages) that addresses something few of us give much thought to: whether we can immeasurably increase out happiness by simply bucking some convential misnomers instead of focusing on a chimera of "happiness."
This is not really a self-help book (lots of pretentious books out there claiming that already, but none can readily prove their techniques!): Author explores studies collecting data on people's views of whether or not they are happy (polls), on brain systems (biology), on anti-depressants, hallucinogens, and dopamine (biochemistry), and on the media/marketing blitz of recipes for achieving happiness. It is all very concise, non-biased, and informative.
But by far the most helpful and sensible information contained in this book is author's quiet explanation of how we as humans are geared to determine 'happiness' on comparisons with our fellow beings: is my income as large as theirs, my car/house/lifestyle, business success and yes, even sexual achievement as gratifying as my neighbors'? It often boils down to a polarity between 'wanting' and 'liking' -- the decision is ultimately ours. Nettle contends that in constantly pursuing happiness (or questioning why our levels don't meet expectations), the most we can hope for is 'what psychologists call subjective well-being'. He then closes with rays of hope that with increased scientific and biochemical investigation, the goal of happiness just may be closer at hand.
Author quotes Hawthorne: "Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you." A well-written, important and truly necessary book for today's society.
Author summarizes myriad studies and statistics available on the subject of what make people happy. Importantly, he has a useful discussion on the types of happiness; feelings of joy, judging oneself to be happy, and realizing one's potential. He focuses on the second, and crunches through the studies, also provding useful scientific explanations of how the mind/brain works. Interesting discussions that stand out in this book: most people are actually happy; control within one's job is more important than income; and there is a distinct (biological) difference between wanting and liking. The latter is the root of addiction (and advertising), and also shows how getting what one wants may not lead to happiness.
We would be interested in seeing a greater discussion on why the rates of depression are on the rise, yet most people are happy. Is it the case that the extremes of society are getting more pronounced? Or simply, we are more aware of depression than before (and/or more is diagnosed or reported due to better health care, better science, etc.). Author's view that those who are neurotic (tendency to negative emotions) and introverted (closed to experiences) tend to be less happy may be somewhat circular. This is the crux of the issue--that is, what causes what! Does being happy lead one to be less neurotic or the other way around? The book is balanced, informative, concise and even life-enhancing.
The main thesis of this book is that humans are pretty bad at knowing what will make them happy. This is because evolution has programmed us to maximize reproductive success, not to maximize our felicitous feelings. He points out that most of the things people think will make them happy do not. These include having money/material goods, having an attractive wife/husband, eating tasty food, drinking, doing drugs, short-term indulgence in TV, or other media, etc.
The things that really determine our happiness level are genes, satisfaction, autonomy, and challenges.
Author breaks down human happiness system into many components: One is a dopamine system that prods us to want. This is what tricks us into thinking that lighting another cigarrette will make us happy as we get more and more miserable and our health fades. Another system is the reward system consisting of opioids. These neurotransmitters blunt our pain and heighten our pleasure. This is what is released during copulation, eating, drinking, etc. The fact that we have seperate brain systems for wanting and having is interesting and highly explanatory.
The author adds many details that I shan't get into. If you want to know more, read the book. Heck, it only takes about five hours.
One thing that is especially interesting is the concept of the hedonic treadmill. This is the idea that if we get status and other worldy goods, we adapt to them so quickly that our happiness level returns to what it was before we got them.
We sure many folks have the inkling that this was the case from personal experience. Yet, we find it fascinating that people still bloviate about how having this or that thing would make them happy. No, it would not; and there is solid scientific evidence to back this contention. The fact that we fallible humans fall prey to this illusion so often only proves what Randolph Nesse said, "natural selection does not give a fig about your happiness."
Perhaps the best part of this book, besides its scientific accuracy, is the Nettle's restraint. He offers no panaceas or guides to follow on the way to happiness. All he does is summarize the evidence and leave it to the reader to find his or her own way.
Topics include:
Resources: