Annu Rev Psychol January 2021 PMID 32898466

The Science of Meaning in Life.

Laura A King, Joshua A Hicks

Mentions

80
Peak: 10 in Sep 2020
across 4 sources since Sep 2020

Extended reach

205,147
potential audience

Total likes

507

Video views

4,763

Mentions per month

Sep 2020 – Mar 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News46 articles
  • X / Twitter24 posts
  • YouTube5 videos
  • Blogs5 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions highlight the article's ability to make the concept of meaning in life relatable and engaging, as seen in remarks calling it 'interesting' and comparing it to philosophical reading like Camus. The tone is generally curious and appreciative, though not deeply critical or complex, which corresponds to the moderate scores across the dimensions.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the importance and relevance of the science of meaning in life, with many affirming its significance for understanding human experience.

InterestHigh interest

Posts frequently express curiosity and interest, referencing the article as a recommended read and comparing it to literature and philosophical works.

EngagementModerate engagement

Some comments delve into the implications of the research, mentioning how understanding meaning can address issues like loneliness and polarization, but mostly among casual readers.

ImpactModerate impact

While the topic is appreciated, the discussions suggest a moderate impact, with some recognizing its potential to influence mental health and societal challenges.

Abstract in brief

  • The article explores the concept of meaning in life, explaining how it has been studied, measured, and understood as a key part of human experience.
  • It identifies four main aspects of meaning in life: comprehension, coherence, purpose, and existential matterings, and discusses various experiences that can strengthen a sense of meaning.
  • Despite its mysterious reputation, the review suggests that meaning in life is quite common, and highlights ongoing research questions aimed at further understanding this fundamental aspect of human existence.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Oliver Scott Curry
@Oliver_S_Curry · X

"Everyday people appear to be living lives of meaning despite the best efforts of academic psychologists and philosophers to persuade them that meaning in life is rare or that there is, in fact, no meaning in life.”

Sep 23, 2020 · 28 likes · 11 shares · 5,867 followers View post →
PsikoBilim
@Psikobilim_ · X

@kaptanoglu_omer @grok Şuradan indirebilirsiniz: https://t.co/9vjfm6O3xY

Mar 31, 2025 · 5 likes · 79,121 followers View post →
Ali Mohebi
@mohebial · X

Unsolicited Saturday evening reading suggestion? https://t.co/SoavSQAvzQ Better: Pair it with some whiskey blues in the background and search for A meaning in life. It's like reading Camus essays, a bit more nerdy though

May 22, 2021 · 5 likes · 1,916 followers View post →
Ernesto Panadero
@ernestopanadero · X

The Annual Review of Psychology 2020 is here and these are interesting reads (completely out of my area of research): https://t.co/9pl83h0piJ https://t.co/IkMyEkYBBY https://t.co/GLFOLFqedJ

Jan 7, 2021 · 2 likes · 2,067 followers View post →
Clay Routledge
@clayroutledge · X

For this week's Flourishing Friday newsletter, I provide a brief overview of the science of meaning in life. Understanding meaning better may help us address major challenges we face, from polarization to loneliness and mental health issues. https://t.co/V4SabsFc9o https://t.co/IHmFAqbN0c

Aug 30, 2024 · 1 like · 2 shares · 17,948 followers View post →
Matt Grossmann
@MattGrossmann · X

RT @Oliver_S_Curry: "Everyday people appear to be living lives of meaning despite the best efforts of academic psychologists and philosophe…

Sep 23, 2020 · 11 shares · 32,278 followers View post →

All mentions

PsikoBilim
@Psikobilim_ · X

@kaptanoglu_omer @grok Şuradan indirebilirsiniz: https://t.co/9vjfm6O3xY

Mar 31, 2025 · 5 likes · 79,121 followers View post →
Thorpe Brown
@sfumato44 · X

The science of meaning in life https://t.co/lr75QIY1gp

Jan 4, 2025 · 5,518 followers View post →
Paul Anleitner
@PaulAnleitner · X

RT @clayroutledge: For this week's Flourishing Friday newsletter, I provide a brief overview of the science of meaning in life. Understandi…

Aug 30, 2024 · 2 shares · 24,466 followers View post →
Archbridge Institute
@ArchbridgeInst · X

RT @clayroutledge: For this week's Flourishing Friday newsletter, I provide a brief overview of the science of meaning in life. Understandi…

Aug 30, 2024 · 2 shares · 1,125 followers View post →
Clay Routledge
@clayroutledge · X

For this week's Flourishing Friday newsletter, I provide a brief overview of the science of meaning in life. Understanding meaning better may help us address major challenges we face, from polarization to loneliness and mental health issues. https://t.co/V4SabsFc9o https://t.co/IHmFAqbN0c

Aug 30, 2024 · 1 like · 2 shares · 17,948 followers View post →
kaveinology
@kaveinthran · X

RT @Oliver_S_Curry: "Everyday people appear to be living lives of meaning despite the best efforts of academic psychologists and philosophe…

Jan 17, 2023 · 11 shares · 1,115 followers View post →
Oliver Scott Curry
@Oliver_S_Curry · X

RT @Oliver_S_Curry: "Everyday people appear to be living lives of meaning despite the best efforts of academic psychologists and philosophe…

Jan 17, 2023 · 11 shares · 5,867 followers View post →
Fernando Gaspar Dueñas
@fernandogaspar_ · X

RT @Oliver_S_Curry: "Everyday people appear to be living lives of meaning despite the best efforts of academic psychologists and philosophe…

Dec 1, 2022 · 11 shares · 235 followers View post →
Ali Mohebi
@mohebial · X

Unsolicited Saturday evening reading suggestion? https://t.co/SoavSQAvzQ Better: Pair it with some whiskey blues in the background and search for A meaning in life. It's like reading Camus essays, a bit more nerdy though

May 22, 2021 · 5 likes · 1,916 followers View post →
Ernesto Panadero
@ernestopanadero · X

The Annual Review of Psychology 2020 is here and these are interesting reads (completely out of my area of research): https://t.co/9pl83h0piJ https://t.co/IkMyEkYBBY https://t.co/GLFOLFqedJ

Jan 7, 2021 · 2 likes · 2,067 followers View post →
Dr Cyril R Pernet
@CyrilRPernet · X

The Science of Meaning in Life --> '[...] meaning in life, for all its mystery, is a rather commonplace experience' yeh I'm not alone :-) https://t.co/69OaQWqEbb

Jan 6, 2021 · 4,208 followers View post →
Paul McCullough
@ThePostsynaptic · X

The Science of Meaning in Life https://t.co/HhVtO90kY7 https://t.co/UwRIJKgqex

Jan 5, 2021 · 2,590 followers View post →
Dr. J. Rodríguez, Ph.D.
@JRodriguez_PhD · X

"We review the many experiences that have been shown to enhance meaning in life and close by considering important remaining research questions about this fascinating topic." @AnnualReviews https://t.co/n5vJkqzfyN

Jan 5, 2021 · 2,972 followers View post →
Richard Channing
@CommentariiDeBG · X

RT @Oliver_S_Curry: "Everyday people appear to be living lives of meaning despite the best efforts of academic psychologists and philosophe…

Oct 2, 2020 · 11 shares · 3,004 followers View post →
Yo Nakawake
@ynk_socpsy · X

RT @Oliver_S_Curry: "Everyday people appear to be living lives of meaning despite the best efforts of academic psychologists and philosophe…

Sep 23, 2020 · 11 shares · 904 followers View post →
The Skeptical Therapist
@rickgeezer · X

RT @Oliver_S_Curry: "Everyday people appear to be living lives of meaning despite the best efforts of academic psychologists and philosophe…

Sep 23, 2020 · 11 shares · 95 followers View post →
sakanoue no fusigi
@seeker98747 · X

RT @Oliver_S_Curry: "Everyday people appear to be living lives of meaning despite the best efforts of academic psychologists and philosophe…

Sep 23, 2020 · 11 shares · 334 followers View post →
Lewend Mayiwar
@LewendM · X

RT @Oliver_S_Curry: "Everyday people appear to be living lives of meaning despite the best efforts of academic psychologists and philosophe…

Sep 23, 2020 · 11 shares · 503 followers View post →
I'm not mad I actually think it's funny
@herr_naphta · X

RT @Oliver_S_Curry: "Everyday people appear to be living lives of meaning despite the best efforts of academic psychologists and philosophe…

Sep 23, 2020 · 11 shares · 1,593 followers View post →
Matt Grossmann
@MattGrossmann · X

RT @Oliver_S_Curry: "Everyday people appear to be living lives of meaning despite the best efforts of academic psychologists and philosophe…

Sep 23, 2020 · 11 shares · 32,278 followers View post →
kindness.org
@kindness_org · X

RT @Oliver_S_Curry: "Everyday people appear to be living lives of meaning despite the best efforts of academic psychologists and philosophe…

Sep 23, 2020 · 11 shares · 6,038 followers View post →
Oliver Scott Curry
@Oliver_S_Curry · X

"Everyday people appear to be living lives of meaning despite the best efforts of academic psychologists and philosophers to persuade them that meaning in life is rare or that there is, in fact, no meaning in life.”

Sep 23, 2020 · 28 likes · 11 shares · 5,867 followers View post →
Sage Soul
@SageSoul4 · X

Didn't expect my Sunday evening literature review to end up at this review article, but here we go existential crisis

Sep 20, 2020 · 235 followers View post →
TMT Articles
@TMT_Articles · X

The Science of Meaning in Life LA King, JA Hicks - Annual Review of Psychology, 2020 https://t.co/Jic4r5zZvs

Sep 15, 2020 · 110 followers View post →