Introduction to Catalog of Happiness in Nations
Abstract chapter 4
MEASURES OF HAPPINESS
Happiness is defined as the degree to which an individual judges the overall quality
of his life-as-a-whole favorably. Within this concept two 'components' of happiness are
distinguished: hedonic level of affect (the degree to which pleasant affect dominates) and
contentment (perceived realization of wants). These components represent respectively
'affective' and 'cognitive' appraisals of life and are seen to figure as subtotals in the
overall evaluation of life, called overall happiness.
Happiness as defined here can be measured by means of questioning, and
hedonic level also by observations of non-verbal behavior. Though happiness is measurable
in principle, not all the questionnaires and observation schedules used for its
measurement are deemed acceptable. Many measures tap in fact broader phenomena than
defined here. These measures are left out in this review of survey research on happiness
in nations. All the data reported here are based on indicators that successfully passed a
test for face-validity.
This catalog reports data on happiness in nations. It provides
information about average level and dispersion of happiness.