Psychology of Happiness

Recent research attests to the importance of three distinct orientations to happiness -- pleasure, engagement, and meaning -- which together integrate hedonic and eudaimonic approaches to the good life. This book considers the concept of meaning in life, a crucial variable for physical health and psychological adjustment in a variety of contexts. This book also reviews the current state of literature on childhood happiness, including definitional issues applying to the term happiness, neurological correlates of happiness and a discussion of the consequences of disrupted homes on childhood happiness and a discussion of potentially undesirable cognitive consequences of a happy state. The authors also review and discuss studies on humour and discuss its role in the social functioning of people with Asperger Syndrome (AS). The argument is presented that happiness is also related to one's hope for the future, presenting evidence that positive affect or happiness is related to hope as assessed by several different measures. In addition, a term called "emotional breathing" is introduced. Physiological and psychological perspectives on the concept of coexistence of breathing and emotion is offered. The connection between the psychology of happiness and tourism is examined as well.