Happiness test

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/happiness_formula/4785402.stm

test designed by Professor Ed Diener, University of Illinois

People who score high on life satisfaction tend to have close and supportive family and friends, whereas those who do not have close friends and family are more likely to be dissatisfied.

Another factor that influences the life satisfaction of most people is work or school, or performance in an important role such as homemaker or grandparent.

A third factor that influences the life satisfaction of most people is personal - satisfaction with the self, religious or spiritual life, learning and growth, and leisure.

When a person tends to be chronically dissatisfied, they should look within themselves and ask whether they need to develop more positive attitudes to life and the world.


in my own words
-it has been proved time time and again that personal relationships make us happier than most everything else. if our family connections are strong and we have a good set of friends, we will be happiest.
-in america, we put a strong emphasis on the individual (though you know you need a source to back this up...). as we export our tv shows, they glorify the individual who doesn't rely on anyone to succeed. this could make people more unhappy, because it encourages them to shun their families. this could be especially detrimental in a culture that emphasizes family first. in this way, globalized media (especially american media) could make people unhappier, because it focuses them on individuality and materialism.