Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Are The Very Happy Too Happy?

  • Published:
Journal of Happiness Studies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Although positive emotions undoubtedly confer benefits, one can have too much of it. There is probably a point beyond which enjoyment interferes with realism, yet it is unclear where that point is. The original “States of Mind” (SOM) model (Schwartz and Garamoni, 1986; 1989) proposed that a ratio of [positive] to [positive plus negative] affective/cognitive states [P/(P+N)] of about 0.62 is optimal, but previous research indicated that higher ratios may go with good mental health. The revised “balanced states of mind” (BSOM) model (Schwartz, 1997) suggests a higher cutoff, with ratios above 0.90 being dysfunctional. This paper reports a study of 72 very positive subjects (mean ratio = 0.85) and assessed possible dysfunction by means of questionnaires, role-plays, and physiological responses to induced stress. Signs of dysfunction were no more frequent among the most positive subjects (ratios of 0.90 and above) than among moderately positive subjects. This suggests that there is nothing wrong with the high levels of happiness in present day society. As yet, it is still not established how much more happiness will be too much. One possibility is that standard cognition/emotion measures need to be revised in order to detect truly excessive positivity in a sensitive manner.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Amsel, R. and C.S. Fichten: 1998, ‘Recommendations for self statement inventories: Use of valence, endpoints, frequency and relative frequency’, Cognitive Therapy and Research 22, pp. 255–277.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aspinwall, L.G. and S.E. Taylor: 1992, ‘Modeling cognitive adaptation: A longitudinal investigation of the impact of individual differences and coping on college adjustment and performance’, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 63, pp. 989–1003.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barrow, R.: 1991, Utilitarianism:AContemporary Statement (Elgar, Brookfield, VT).

    Google Scholar 

  • Baum, A. and N. Grunberg: 1996, ‘Measurement of stress hormones’, in S. Cohen, R.C. Kessler and L.U. Gordon (eds.), Measuring Stress: A Guide for Health and Social Scientists (Oxford University Press, New York), pp. 175–192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benjamin, L.: 1967, ‘Facts and artifacts in using analysis of covariance to “undo” the law of initial values’, Psychophysiology 4, pp. 87–206.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blood, G.W., I.M. Blood, S. Bennett, K.C. Simpson and E.J. Susman: 1994, ‘Subjective anxiety measurements and cortisol responses in adults who stutter’, Journal of Speech and Hearing Research 37, pp. 760–768.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradburn, N.M.: 1969, The Structure of PsychologicalWell-being (Adline, Chicago).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruch, M.A., R.J. Hamer and N.G. Kaflowitz-Lindner: 1992, ‘Cognitive balance and assertiveness: Testing the construct validity of the states of mind categories’, Cognitive Therapy and Research 16, pp. 653–667.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charles, S.T., C.A. Reynolds and M. Gatz: 2001, ‘Age-related differences and change in positive and negative affect over 23 years’, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 80, pp. 136–151.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crowne, D.P. and D. Marlowe: 1964, ‘A new scale of social desirability independent of psychopathology’, Journal of Consulting Psychology 24, pp. 349–354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Derogatis, L.R.: 1983, SCL-90: Administration, Scoring and Procedures Manual for the Revised Version (Clinical Psychometric Research, Baltimore).

    Google Scholar 

  • Derogatis, L.R. and N. Melisaratos: 1983, ‘The brief symptom inventory: An introductory report’, Psychological Medicine 13, pp. 595–605.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E. and C. Diener: 1996, ‘Most people are happy’, Psychological Science 7, pp. 181–185.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E. and M.E.P. Seligman: 2002, ‘Very happy people’, Psychological Science 13, pp. 81–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eckblad, M. and L.J. Chapman: 1986, ‘Development and validation of a scale for hypomanic personality’, Journal of Abnormal Psychology 95, pp. 214–222.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eisler, R.M., M. Hersen, P.M. Miller and E.B. Blanchard: 1975, ‘Situational determinants of assertive behavior’, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 43, pp. 330–340.

    Google Scholar 

  • Engebretson, T.O., K.A. Matthews and M.F. Scheier: 1989, ‘Relations between anger expression and cardiovascular reactivity: Reconciling inconsistent findings through a matching hypothesis’, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 57, pp. 513–521.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fichten, C.S., R. Amsel, K. Robillard and V. Tagalakis: 1991, ‘Thoughts about encounters between nondisabled and disabled peers: Situational constraints, statesof-mind, valanced thought categories’, Cognitive Therapy and Research 15, pp. 345–369.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forgas, J.P.: 1999, ‘On feeling good and being rude: Affective influences on language use and request formulations’, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 76, pp. 928–939.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garamoni, G.L., C.F. Reynolds, M.E. Thase, E. Frank and A.L. Fasiczka: 1992, ‘Shifts in affective balance during cognitive therapy of major depression’, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 60, pp. 260–266.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haaga, D.A.F., G.C. Davison, W. McDermut, S.L. Hillis and H.B. Twomey: 1993, ‘“States of mind” analysis of the articulated thoughts of exsmokers’, Cognitive Therapy and Research 17, pp. 427–439.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lefebvre, V.A.: 1985, ‘The golden section and an algebraic model of ethical cognition’, Journal of Mathematical Psychology 29, pp. 289–310.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lepore, S.J.: 1995, ‘Cynicism, social support, and cardiovascular reactivity’, Health Psychology 14, pp. 210–216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levi, L. (ed.): 1972, Stress and Distress in Response to Psychosocial Stimuli (Pergamon Press, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • Llabre, M.M., S.B. Spitzer, P.G. Saab, G.H. Ironson and N. Schneiderman: 1991, ‘The reliability and specificity of delta versus residualized change as measures of cardiovascular reactivity to behavioral challenges’, Psychophysiology 28, pp. 701–711.

    Google Scholar 

  • McFall, R.M. and D.B. Lillesand: 1971, ‘Behavioral rehearsal with modeling and coaching in assertion training’, Journal of Abnormal Psychology 77, pp. 313–323.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meichenbaum, D.: 1977, Cognitive-behavior Modification: An Integrative Approach (Plenum, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • Michelson, L.K., R.M. Schwartz and K.E. Marchione: 1991, ‘States-of-mind model: Cognitive balance and the treatment of agoraphobia-II’, Advances in Behaviour Research and Therapy 13, pp. 193–213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Millham, J. and L.I. Jacobson: 1978, ‘Social desirability and need for social approval’, in H. London and J. Exner (eds.), Dimensions of Personality (Wiley, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers, D.G.: 1993, The Pursuit of Happiness (Avon Books, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • Pitcher, S.W. and S. Meikle: 1980, ‘The topography of assertive behavior in positive and negative situations’, Behavior Therapy 11, pp. 532–547.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raikkonen, K., K.A. Matthews, J.D. Flory, J.F. Owens and B.B. Gump: 1999, ‘Effects of optimism, pessimism, and trait anxiety on ambulatory blood pressure and mood during everyday life’, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 76, pp. 104–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raskin, R., J. Novacek and R. Hogan: 1991, ‘Narcissistic self-esteem management’, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 60, pp. 911–918.

    Google Scholar 

  • Safran, J.D.: 1982, ‘The functional asymmetry of negative and positive selfstatements’, British Journal of Clinical Psychology 21, pp. 223–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, R.M.: 1997, ‘Consider the simple screw: Cognitive science, quality improvement, and psychotherapy’, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 65, pp. 970–983.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, R.M. and G.L. Garamoni: 1986, ‘A structural model of positive and negative states of mind: Asymmetry in the internal dialogue’, in P.C. Kendall (ed.), Advances in Cognitive-behavioral Research and Therapy, Vol. 5 (Academic Press, New York), pp. 1–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, R.M. and G.L. Garamoni: 1989, ‘Cognitive balance and psychopathology: Evaluation of an information processing model of positive and negative states of mind’, Clinical Psychology Review 9, pp. 271–294.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, R.M., C.F. Reynolds III, M.E. Thase, E. Frank, A.L. Fasiczka and D.A.F. Haaga: ‘Optimal and normal affect balance in psychotherapy of major depression: Evaluation of the balanced states of mind model’, Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (in press).

  • Shedler, J., M. Mayman and M. Manis: 1993, ‘The illusion of mental health’, American Psychologist 48, pp. 1117–1131.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, T.W., J.P. Limon, L.C. Gallo L.Q. Ngu: 1996, ‘Interpersonal control and cardiovascular reactivity: Goals, behavioral expression and the moderating effects of sex’, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 70, pp. 1012–1024.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, D., L.A. Clark and A. Tellegen: 1988, ‘Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS scale’, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 54, pp. 1063–1070.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weinberger, D.A.: 1990, ‘The construct validity of the repressive coping style’, in J.L. Singer (ed.), Repression and Dissociation: Implications for Personality Theory, Psychopathology, and Health (University of Chicago Press, Chicago), pp. 337–385.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weinberger, D.A., G.E. Schwartz and R.J. Davidson: 1979, ‘Low-anxious, highanxious, and repressive coping styles: Psychometric patterns and behavioral and physiological responses to stress’, Journal of Abnormal Psychology 88, pp. 369–380.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wink, P.: 1991, ‘Two faces of narcissism’, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 61, pp. 590–597.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology Asbury Building, American University, Washington D.C, 200016-8062, USA

    Elisha Tarlow Friedman, Robert M. Schwartz & David A.F. Haaga

Authors
  1. Elisha Tarlow Friedman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Robert M. Schwartz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. David A.F. Haaga
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to David A.F. Haaga.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Tarlow Friedman, E., Schwartz, R.M. & Haaga, D.A. Are The Very Happy Too Happy?. Journal of Happiness Studies 3, 355–372 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021828127970

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021828127970

Search

Navigation