Document Type
Article
Abstract
. Is high-income one way to achieve happiness? The first two researchers to investigate the question empirically looked at individual countries over time. One researcher found a positive relationship between income and happiness; the other did not. Subsequent researchers have found support for both views. This paper summarizes and critiques the arguments, finding that the answer may lie in genetics and spending habits. Although some people may be genetically predisposed to happiness, ignoring social comparisons and hedonic adaption may help one lead a happier life.
Publication Date
Spring 2015
Journal Title
Major Themes in Economics
Volume
17
Issue
1
First Page
17
Last Page
36
Copyright
©2015 by Major Themes in Economics
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Heinzman, Jon
(2015)
"Easterlin or Cantril: Does a Country’s Income Determine its People’s Happiness?,"
Major Themes in Economics, 17, 17-36.
Available at:
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/mtie/vol17/iss1/4