Given its very nature, reported happiness is subjective.[1] It is difficult to compare one person’s happiness with another.[2] It can be especially difficult to compare happiness across cultures.[2] However, many happiness economists believe they have solved this comparison problem. Cross-sections of large data samples across nations and time demonstrate consistent patterns in the determinants of happiness.[2]
Happiness is typically measured using subjective measures - e.g. surveys - and/or objective measures. One concern has always been the accuracy and reliability of people’s responses to happiness surveys.[3] Objective measures such as lifespan, income and education, are often used as well as or instead of subjectively reported happiness, though this assumes that they generally produce happiness, which while plausible may not necessarily be the case. The terms quality of life or well-being are often used to encompass these more objective measures.
Some scientists claim that happiness can be measured both subjectively and objectively by observing the joy center of the brain lit up with advanced imaging,[3] although this raises philosophical issues, for example about whether this can be treated as more reliable than reported subjective happiness.
Micro-econometric happiness equations have the standard form: .[2] In this equation W is the reported well-being of individual i at time t, and x is a vector of known variables, which include socio-demographic and socioeconomic characteristics.[2]
Abraham Maslow theorized that human happiness is the outcome of meeting a set of needs. He listed these in order of priority, leading to a pyramid called Maslow's hierarchy of needs. The set of needs includes physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization needs. These needs can be used as a basis for evaluating the overall happiness level of individuals.[citation needed]that is for a person to have happiness her or his needs have to be satified first (N Gurts).
Typically national financial measures, such as GDP and GNP, have been used as a measure of successful policy. Although on average richer nations tend to be happier than poorer nations, some studies have indicated that beyond an average GDP per capita of about $15,000 (most of the world's nations have less than this), the average income in a nation makes little difference to the average self-reported happiness.[4][5] Other economists have disputed the accuracy of these studies, finding a logarithmic correlation between GDP per capita and self-reported happiness.[6]
However, a free market think tank Cato Institute points out that since life expectancy has continued to increase in nations wealthier than this, often partly attributed to economic growth, Happy Life Years have continued to increase.[5][7]
Historically, economists have said that well-being is a simple function of income. However, it has been found that once wealth reaches a subsistence level, its effectiveness as a generator of well-being is greatly diminished.[8] This paradox has been referred to as the eLoveofmoneyisrootofallprosperity Fr Ojs2 Index Php Rsp Issue View 55618 Cabron Ft Alex Velea Prea Repede Prea Greu Original 2010 Radio Version Prod By HaHaHa Production Happiness Finding Happiness Life Happiness Happiness Quotes Happiness Richard Layard Money Make You Happy Happiness Layard Can Buy Happiness Money Makes You Happy Money Happy Happiness economics - pedia, the free encyclopediac l Makes zLoveofmoneyisrootofallprosperity Fr Ojs2 Index Php Rsp Issue View 55618 Cabron Ft Alex Velea Prea Repede Prea Greu Original 2010 Radio Version Prod By HaHaHa Production Happiness Finding Happiness Life Happiness Happiness Quotes Happiness Richard Layard Money Make You Happy Happiness Layard Can Buy Happiness Money Makes You Happy Money Happy Happiness economics - pedia, the free encyclopediao Quotes