May 2013 PMID 23599280

Concepts of happiness across time and cultures.

Shigehiro Oishi, Jesse Graham, Selin Kesebir, Iolanda Costa Galinha

Mentions

25
Peak: 7 in Aug 2021
across 5 sources since Jan 2020

Extended reach

82,314
potential audience

Total likes

72

Video views

2,126

Mentions per month

Jan 2020 – Sep 2023

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter11 posts
  • News6 articles
  • Facebook4 posts
  • Blogs3 articles
  • YouTube1 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Discussions highlight evolving definitions of happiness, such as the shift from luck to internal feelings in American English, illustrated by phrases like 'happiness as luck' and models like James's self-esteem theory. The tone is analytical and curious, emphasizing the importance of historical and cultural contexts, which underscores an overall moderate impact in understanding happiness concepts.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge changes in the concept of happiness over time, aligning with the article's findings about cultural and historical shifts.

InterestHigh interest

The discussions show a high level of curiosity, referencing specific historical moments and models, indicating strong interest.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants engage with the concepts by referencing models and past definitions, showing moderate depth of discussion.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions reflect an understanding that these insights could influence how we think about happiness, though the impact appears moderate at this stage.

Abstract in brief

  • The study examined how the idea of happiness varies across different cultures and historical periods by analyzing dictionary definitions from 30 countries, U.S. presidential speeches over 220 years, and the usage of phrases like "happy nation" versus "happy person" in Google data.
  • It found that globally, happiness was commonly seen as linked to external factors like luck and good conditions, but in American English, there was a shift towards viewing happiness as an internal emotional state over time.
  • The research underscores the importance of looking at history and cultural context to better understand how concepts like happiness evolve and differ worldwide.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Erin Westgate
@ErinWestgate · X

What happiness means changes. Prior to 1920s Americans thought of happiness as more about luck than their personal feelings. And in 24/30 countries, dictionaries still define happiness as good luck/good fortune Oishi, Graham, Kesebir, & Galinha (2013) https://t.co/oOhjdVWPVq https://t.co/0uRrWQY34N

Aug 20, 2021 · 31 likes · 6 shares · 11,520 followers View post →
W. Keith Campbell
@wkeithcampbell · X

@ExistWell That doesn't ring a bell and I don't know if "happy" would be used on that way historically - FWIW James's self-esteem model involved insight, different from his basic emotion model https://t.co/GJHdiWli2O

Jan 25, 2022 · 4 likes · 4,713 followers View post →
Maija Haavisto
@DiamonDie · X

@AlexandraErin Related: https://t.co/WUWQtBCbaH

Jan 9, 2020 · 1 like · 1 share · 7,951 followers View post →
Charles Fain Lehman
@CharlesFLehman · X

RT @ErinWestgate: What happiness means changes. Prior to 1920s Americans thought of happiness as more about luck than their personal feelin…

Aug 20, 2021 · 6 shares · 20,185 followers View post →
Jean Twenge (author of 10 RULES, GENERATIONS)
@jean_twenge · X

RT @ErinWestgate: What happiness means changes. Prior to 1920s Americans thought of happiness as more about luck than their personal feelin…

Aug 20, 2021 · 6 shares · 18,645 followers View post →
Calvin Lai
@CalvinKLai · X

RT @ErinWestgate: What happiness means changes. Prior to 1920s Americans thought of happiness as more about luck than their personal feelin…

Aug 20, 2021 · 6 shares · 5,573 followers View post →

All mentions

W. Keith Campbell
@wkeithcampbell · X

@ExistWell That doesn't ring a bell and I don't know if "happy" would be used on that way historically - FWIW James's self-esteem model involved insight, different from his basic emotion model https://t.co/GJHdiWli2O

Jan 25, 2022 · 4 likes · 4,713 followers View post →
David Matsumoto
@davidmatsumoto · X

RT @ErinWestgate: What happiness means changes. Prior to 1920s Americans thought of happiness as more about luck than their personal feelin…

Aug 26, 2021 · 6 shares · 4,468 followers View post →
Bassaces
@Bassaces1 · X

RT @ErinWestgate: What happiness means changes. Prior to 1920s Americans thought of happiness as more about luck than their personal feelin…

Aug 23, 2021 · 6 shares · 2,618 followers View post →
Rene Gempp
@gempp · X

RT @ErinWestgate: What happiness means changes. Prior to 1920s Americans thought of happiness as more about luck than their personal feelin…

Aug 21, 2021 · 6 shares · 268 followers View post →
Jean Twenge (author of 10 RULES, GENERATIONS)
@jean_twenge · X

RT @ErinWestgate: What happiness means changes. Prior to 1920s Americans thought of happiness as more about luck than their personal feelin…

Aug 20, 2021 · 6 shares · 18,645 followers View post →
Charles Fain Lehman
@CharlesFLehman · X

RT @ErinWestgate: What happiness means changes. Prior to 1920s Americans thought of happiness as more about luck than their personal feelin…

Aug 20, 2021 · 6 shares · 20,185 followers View post →
Calvin Lai
@CalvinKLai · X

RT @ErinWestgate: What happiness means changes. Prior to 1920s Americans thought of happiness as more about luck than their personal feelin…

Aug 20, 2021 · 6 shares · 5,573 followers View post →
Erin Westgate
@ErinWestgate · X

What happiness means changes. Prior to 1920s Americans thought of happiness as more about luck than their personal feelings. And in 24/30 countries, dictionaries still define happiness as good luck/good fortune Oishi, Graham, Kesebir, & Galinha (2013) https://t.co/oOhjdVWPVq https://t.co/0uRrWQY34N

Aug 20, 2021 · 31 likes · 6 shares · 11,520 followers View post →
ground-score couture
@scienceknower · X

RT @DiamonDie: @AlexandraErin Related: https://t.co/WUWQtBCbaH

Jan 9, 2020 · 1 share · 653 followers View post →
monique d'hooghe ♿ (they, she)
@moniquedhooghe · X

RT @DiamonDie: @AlexandraErin Related: https://t.co/WUWQtBCbaH

Jan 9, 2020 · 1 share · 3,505 followers View post →
Maija Haavisto
@DiamonDie · X

@AlexandraErin Related: https://t.co/WUWQtBCbaH

Jan 9, 2020 · 1 like · 1 share · 7,951 followers View post →