Self-determination theory posits 3 basic psychological needs: autonomy (feeling uncoerced in one's actions), competence (feeling capable), and relatedness (feeling connected to others). Optimal well-being results when these needs are satisfied, though this research has traditionally focused on individual well-being outcomes (e.g., E. L. Deci & R. M. Ryan, 2000). Three studies examined the role ...

Competitive behavior has often been presented as the ultimate engine of economic, technological, and scientific progress. Since all such progress is likely to imply some measure of social benefit, competition has been widely praised in modern western culture. However, competition can have very negative effects on social wellbeing. An early example is known as the "tragedy of the commons." The c...

Different theories posit different sources for feelings of well-being and happiness. Appraisal theory grounds our emotional responses in our goals and desires and their fulfillment, or lack of fulfillment. Self-Determination theory posits that the basis for well-being rests on our assessments of our competence, autonomy and social connection. And surveys that measure happiness empirically note ...

During the last years researchers have shown an increasing interest in differences between the selfemployed and employees regarding how they feel about work. A persistent result is that self-employed are more satisfied with their jobs than wage-earners are. This paper extends the comparison between the well-being of self-employed and wage-earners to also incorporate mental health problems, phys...

I believe the greatest threat to the pursuit of genuine happiness and well-being is our current debt-money system. In the face of an international debt-crisis, it is remarkable that there is no serious discussion about the nature of money, or about how and who creates our money. While meaningful conversations about alternative measures of progress (e.g. Gross National Happiness, Genuine Progres...

Narcissism can be expressed in grandiose or vulnerable forms. We examined whether positive psychological states (defined by the Oxford Happiness Inventory (OHI) and the Diener Satisfaction With Life (SWL) scales) assisted differentiation relative to general personality traits and the ‘‘the Dark Triad’’ (psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism, measured by the D12 and Short Dark Triad (SD3...

This study examines gratitude among undergraduate students of a public university in Malaysia and its relationship with psychological well-being happiness. took 149 samples randomly from 235 who were asked to participate answering Gratitude Questionnaire-6, Ryff's Scale Psychological Well Being, Subjective Happiness Scale. Correlation analysis shows positive between students' supports the previ...