A computational and neural model of momentary subjective well-being.

Robb B Rutledge, Nikolina Skandali, Peter Dayan, Raymond J Dolan

August 2014

Synopsis of Social media discussions

The discussions reflect a strong interest in the scientific details of the publication, with posts praising its mathematical framework and neural insights, such as references to dopamine and reward prediction errors, and some engaging critically with the interpretation of neural signals. The tone and focus on technical and neural aspects suggest a community intrigued by the detailed science and potential implications for understanding well-being.

A
Agreement
 Moderate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the scientific validity and importance of the model, especially praising the neural and computational approaches to understanding happiness.

I
Interest
 High level of interest

There is high interest, evidenced by curiosity about the mathematical formulas and neural mechanisms, with many posts referencing the detailed scientific content.

E
Engagement
 High engagement

Posts demonstrate deep engagement by referencing specific studies, neural theories, and even critiquing aspects like dopamine's role, indicating thoughtful analysis.

I
Impact
 Moderate level of impact

While some posts highlight the significance of the research for understanding mood and happiness, the perceived practical or societal impact seems moderate, mainly inspiring scientific curiosity.

Social Mentions

YouTube

2 Videos

Bluesky

2 Posts

Facebook

33 Posts

Twitter

19 Posts

Blogs

34 Articles

News

88 Articles

Reddit

2 Posts

Metrics

Video Views

78,621

Total Likes

7,818

Extended Reach

335,343

Social Features

180

Timeline: Posts about article

Top Social Media Posts

Posts referencing the article

Understanding Expectation and Surprise in Happiness and Brain Functionality

Understanding Expectation and Surprise in Happiness and Brain Functionality

This video explores how daily events influence happiness, emphasizing the role of expectations and surprises based on computational models and neural data, particularly highlighting brain activity in the striatum.

Psicologia dos Animes

September 9, 2024

74,175 views

Simple Science-Backed Strategies to Improve Mood and Well-Being

Simple Science-Backed Strategies to Improve Mood and Well-Being

Studies show that small simple actions can significantly impact our mental health and life satisfaction. Learn how managing clutter, embracing imperfection, and making time for solitude can enhance emotional well-being and happiness.

Search Of Self

December 28, 2023

4,446 views

  • Dhawal Sharma
    @thebreakingwise (Twitter)

    Sources: • Clark, A. E. (2013). Adaptation and the Easterlin Paradox. In Handbook of Happiness Research, Springer. • Rutledge, R. B., Skandali, N., Dayan, P., & Dolan, R. J. (2014). A computational and neural model of momentary subjective well-being. PNAS, 111(33),
    view full post

    October 29, 2025

  • Kyle Chamberlain
    @LeightonKyleC (Twitter)

    RT @pickover: Mathematics. Scientists discover the equations for happiness. Formulas from this free technical paper: https://t.co/rdfAVQ…
    view full post

    August 20, 2025

    2

  • Jacques Boudreau
    @voteboudreau (Twitter)

    RT @pickover: Mathematics. Scientists discover the equations for happiness. Formulas from this free technical paper: https://t.co/rdfAVQ…
    view full post

    August 20, 2025

    2

  • Cliff Pickover
    @pickover (Twitter)

    Mathematics. Scientists discover the equations for happiness. Formulas from this free technical paper: https://t.co/rdfAVQlevu https://t.co/faVbWdeN2A
    view full post

    August 20, 2025

    13

    2

  • The Open Buddhist University
    @buddhistuniversity.net (Bluesky)


    view full post

    April 29, 2025

    2

  • The Open Buddhist University
    @buddhistuni (Twitter)


    view full post

    April 29, 2025

  • Nicole C Rust, PhD
    @NicoleCRust (Twitter)

    @RobbRutledge @SimonsFdn @yael_niv Thank you so much Robb! One thing inspiring this transition is your 2014 paper. What you did here was such a brilliant move; it opened big opportunities to chase mood's neural correlates. I can't wait to talk to you about all of it. https://t.co/RKEphWwwAI
    view full post

    November 12, 2024

    2

  • Steven Quartz PhD
    @StevenQuartz (Twitter)

    here's the scientific details: https://t.co/G7G2GBbUXx
    view full post

    October 29, 2024

  • Maria Isabel
    @isabelmiaa.bsky.social (Bluesky)

    youtu.be/ZcMLFDnqjWg?...
    view full post

    September 11, 2024

  • Steven Quartz PhD
    @StevenQuartz (Twitter)

    This framework importantly sheds light on the mysterious nature of mood, a kind of mental state that is vexing because it's often thought to not be about anything. Here dopamine is thought to track the difference between expectations and outcomes 9/n https://t.co/1WzN7sCxLF
    view full post

    May 29, 2024

    1

  • Steven Quartz PhD
    @StevenQuartz (Twitter)

    @hubermanlab @CharanRanganath @lexfridman detailed here: https://t.co/1WzN7sCxLF
    view full post

    May 28, 2024

    1

  • Kei Matoba
    @mkei_psycho (Twitter)

    A computational and neural model of momentary subjective well-being | PNAS https://t.co/3tjnHjhSKs
    view full post

    March 9, 2024

  • Pourya
    @sheikhe_azal (Twitter)

    RT @hamiderfani: این مقاله سال ۲۰۱۴ توی ژورنال معتبر PNAS نشون میده انتظارات پایین یکی از کلیدهای مهم خوشحالی هست. Low expectation is key…
    view full post

    February 20, 2024

    2

  • Hamid 
    @hamiderfani (Twitter)

    این مقاله سال ۲۰۱۴ توی ژورنال معتبر PNAS نشون میده انتظارات پایین یکی از کلیدهای مهم خوشحالی هست. Low expectation is key to happiness https://t.co/IRWk9sUgtN
    view full post

    February 20, 2024

    24

    2

  • Márcio Fagundes Goethel, Ph.D.
    @gbiomech (Twitter)

    A computational and neural model of momentary subjective well-being | PNAS https://t.co/4EfFIy1L7k
    view full post

    August 29, 2023

    1

  • Steven Quartz PhD
    @StevenQuartz (Twitter)

    High baseline dopamine is related to having high expectations but momentary happiness depends on doing better than expected, which is signaled by those short bursts (a reward prediction error), so here's why high levels of dopamine drives down happiness: https://t.co/G7G2GBbUXx
    view full post

    May 19, 2023

    2

  • Robb Rutledge
    @RobbRutledge (Twitter)

    Feelings of happiness can be explained by the recent history of expectations (EV) and reward prediction errors (RPE), the difference between received and expected rewards https://t.co/jOqbS3RHZe 4/n
    view full post

    February 10, 2023

    5

  • Steven Quartz PhD
    @StevenQuartz (Twitter)

    @hubermanlab this is inaccurate. Dopamine is released when we do better than expected. An outcome that is fully predicted does not impact dopamine or subjective momentary happiness as this imaging/computational model shows: https://t.co/G7G2GBsXZx
    view full post

    October 26, 2022

    21

    1

  • Sandip Roy
    @DrSandipRoy (Twitter)

    We should treat happiness as a tool rather than a goal. You may enjoy yourself more if you don’t expect everything to go perfectly. https://t.co/mTkvEMl7N8
    view full post

    May 9, 2022

  • HaraNori
    @NoriHara88 (Twitter)

    A computational and neural model of momentary subjective well-being: Momentary happiness is explained by the combined influence of recent reward expectations and prediction errors arising from those expectations. https://t.co/5R4jpOHvtH
    view full post

    January 18, 2022

  • Robb Rutledge
    @RobbRutledge (Twitter)

    Happiness is higher after avoiding losses compared to not getting a reward, despite both outcomes being zero (n=35,219). This result is consistent with a role for expectations and reward prediction errors in determining happiness reported with n=18,420. https://t.co/7AXQWjXz0j 3/ https://t.co/qZgl1x3DXi
    view full post

    January 13, 2021

    4

Abstract Synopsis

  • The study uses computational models to explore how daily life events influence happiness, focusing on how recent rewards and prediction errors shape our moment-to-moment feelings.
  • It finds that people's happiness is more affected by their expectations and surprises about rewards than by actual earnings, and this was confirmed through a large-scale replication with over 18,000 participants.
  • Using functional MRI, the researchers identified brain activity in the striatum that matches these emotional and expectation-driven influences, linking neural processes to subjective wellbeing.]