About the book
The question of what constitutes the good life has been pondered for millennia. Yet only in the last decades has the study of well-being become a scientific endeavor. This book is based on the idea that we can empirically study quality of life and make cross-society comparisons of subjective well-being (SWB).
A potential problem in studying SWB across societies is that of cultural relativism: if societies have different values, the members of those societies will use different criteria in evaluating the success of their society. By examining, however, such aspects of SWB as whether people believe they are living correctly, whether they enjoy their lives, and whether others important to them believe they are living well, SWB can represent the degree to which people in a society are achieving the values they hold dear.
The contributors analyze SWB in relation to money, age, gender, democracy, and other factors. Among the interesting findings is that although wealthy nations are on average happier than poor ones, people do not get happier as a wealthy nation grows wealthier.
Editions of Culture and Subjective Well-Being
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780262041829
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780262541466
- EBook
- ISBN 9780262308090
- EBook
- ISBN 9780262316194
Read an Excerpt
The question of what constitutes the good life has been pondered for millennia. Yet only in the last decades has the study of well-being become a scientific endeavor. This book is based on the idea that we can empirically study quality of life and make cross-society comparisons of subjective well-being (SWB).
A potential problem in studying SWB across societies is that of cultural relativism: if societies have different values, the members of those societies will use different criteria in evaluating the success of their society. By examining, however, such aspects of SWB as whether people believe they are living correctly, whether they enjoy their lives, and whether others important to them believe they are living well, SWB can represent the degree to which people in a society are achieving the values they hold dear.
The contributors analyze SWB in relation to money, age, gender, democracy, and other factors. Among the interesting findings is that although wealthy nations are on average happier than poor ones, people do not get happier as a wealthy nation grows wealthier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Culture and Subjective Well-Being about?
The question of what constitutes the good life has been pondered for millennia. Yet only in the last decades has the study of well-being become a scientific endeavor. This book is based on the idea that we can empirically study quality of life and make cross-society comparisons of subjective well-being (SWB).
A potential problem in studying SWB across societies is that of cultural relativism: if societies have different values, the members of those societies will use different criteria in evaluating the success of their society. By examining, however, such aspects of SWB as whether people believe they are living correctly, whether they enjoy their lives, and whether others important to them believe they are living well, SWB can represent the degree to which people in a society are achieving the values they hold dear.
The contributors analyze SWB in relation to money, age, gender, democracy, and other factors. Among the interesting findings is that although wealthy nations are on average happier than poor ones, people do not get happier as a wealthy nation grows wealthier.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Culture and Subjective Well-Being?
Society and Social Sciences > Psychology > Social, group or collective psychology
Where can I read a sample of Culture and Subjective Well-Being?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780262041829
Is Culture and Subjective Well-Being part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Well Being and Quality of Life
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Culture and Subjective Well-Being?
Edward Diener, Eunkook M. Suh
Who is the Publisher of the book Culture and Subjective Well-Being?
MIT Press
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Culture and Subjective Well-Being is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780262041829) and paperback(ISBN 9780262541466) and ebook(ISBN 9780262308090) and ebook(ISBN 9780262316194)
Where can I buy Culture and Subjective Well-Being online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Culture and Subjective Well-Being from below
Where can I buy Culture and Subjective Well-Being?