August 2011 PMID 21517168

Can seeking happiness make people unhappy? [corrected] Paradoxical effects of valuing happiness.

Iris B Mauss, Maya Tamir, Craig L Anderson, Nicole S Savino

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Mentions

Peak: 2 in Oct 2025

across 2 sources since Sep 2020

Extended reach

119,093

potential audience

Total likes

5,086

Video views

115,793

Mentions per month

Sep 2020 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

X / Twitter3 posts
YouTube3 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The comments demonstrate recognition of the paradoxical effects of valuing happiness, with phrases like 'another reason not to focus too much' and 'try to find happiness' capturing the core message. The tone is somewhat concerned and reflective, emphasizing that excessive focus on happiness might backfire, which underscores the article's key findings.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions agree that actively pursuing happiness can have negative effects, as indicated by statements like 'another reason not to focus too much' and 'trying to find happiness may make people unhappy'.

InterestModerate interest

The posts show some curiosity about the topic but lack deep exploration, reflected in brief comments and expressions of agreement without detailed analysis.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants show moderate engagement by expressing personal viewpoints and summarizing key ideas, but don't delve into extensive discussion or critique.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussion highlights that the concept is perceptive and relevant to everyday life, suggesting it could influence how people approach their own pursuit of happiness.

Abstract in brief

Valuing happiness doesn't always lead to greater well-being; in some cases, it can actually make people less happy, especially when they encounter positive situations.
The research found that women who placed a high value on happiness experienced more disappointment and lower happiness levels in low-stress situations and when reacting to positive emotions.
This counterintuitive effect suggests that striving too much for happiness might backfire, making people feel worse when they actually start to feel happy.]

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