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Cultural Constructions of Happiness: Theory and Empirical Evidence

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The Exploration of Happiness

Part of the book series: Happiness Studies Book Series ((HAPS))

Abstract

In a review of recent cross-cultural evidence on happiness and well-being, the authors identified substantial cultural variations in (1) cultural meanings of happiness, (2) motivations underlying happiness, and (3) predictors of happiness. Specifically, in North American cultural contexts, happiness tends to be defined in terms of personal achievement. Individuals engaging in these cultures are motivated to maximize the experience of positive affect. Moreover, happiness is best predicted by self-esteem. In contrast, in East Asian cultural contexts, happiness tends to be defined in terms of interpersonal connectedness. Individuals engaging in these cultures are motivated to maintain a balance between positive and negative affects. Moreover, happiness is best predicted by perceived embeddedness of the self in a social relationship. Directions for future research are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

Yukiko Uchida, Research Fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, was supported by Grant-in-Aid for JSPS Fellows. Also, this research was supported by the 21st Century COE Program (D-2 to Kyoto University), MEXT, Japan and grants-in-aid from the Ministry of Science and Education, Japan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan

    Yukiko Uchida

  2. Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN, USA

    Vinai Norasakkunkit

  3. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Shinobu Kitayama

  4. Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA, USA

    Vinai Norasakkunkit

Authors
  1. Yukiko Uchida
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  2. Vinai Norasakkunkit
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  3. Shinobu Kitayama
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yukiko Uchida .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Pathophysiology, and Transplantation, University of Milan, Via G.B. Grassi 74, Milan, 20157, Italy

    Antonella Delle Fave

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Uchida, Y., Norasakkunkit, V., Kitayama, S. (2013). Cultural Constructions of Happiness: Theory and Empirical Evidence. In: Delle Fave, A. (eds) The Exploration of Happiness. Happiness Studies Book Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5702-8_14

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