Using memories to assess the intrapersonal comparability of wellbeing reports

Research on subjective wellbeing typically assumes that responses to survey questions are comparable across respondents and time. Unfortunately, if this assumption is violated, standard methods in empirical research may mislead. I address concern with three contributions. First, give a theoretical analysis of the extent direction bias results from violations assumption. Second, propose use respondents’ memories past life satisfaction estimate thereby correct for differentials scale use. Third, using proposed approach, test whether reports intrapersonally Using British panel data, find which explanatory variables affect latent same as affected. Unemployment widowhood have particularly strong effects Nevertheless, shifts generally not large enough sign or statistical significance estimates compared models do account shifts. Finally, although discussed context scales, approach applicable wide range other subjectively reported constructs.