J Pers Soc Psychol August 1978 PMID 690806

Lottery winners and accident victims: is happiness relative?

P Brickman, D Coates, R Janoff-Bulman

Mentions

53
Peak: 5 in Oct 2025
across 8 sources since Aug 2011

Extended reach

313,264
potential audience

Total likes

11,500

Video views

220,541

Mentions per month

Aug 2011 – Dec 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News19 articles
  • X / Twitter16 posts
  • TikTok10 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Facebook2 posts
  • Instagram2 posts
  • Reddit1 posts
  • Blogs1 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall discourse reflects a strong consensus that major positive or negative events, such as winning the lottery or after serious accidents, do not lead to long-term changes in happiness, with many posts citing specific studies and psychological theories. The tone is analytical and reflective, emphasizing that true happiness is more complex and individual, suggesting that external circumstances have limited long-term effects on well-being.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions agree with the core findings of the study, emphasizing that major life events like winning the lottery or becoming paralyzed tend to bring only temporary happiness changes, with people returning to their baseline levels.

InterestHigh interest

The posts show high interest, referencing specific studies, psychological concepts, and personal reflections, indicating active engagement with the research topic.

EngagementHigh engagement

Many contributors delve into detailed interpretations and personal opinions, quoting the study, comparing different situations, and posing thought-provoking questions, demonstrating deep engagement.

ImpactHigh impact

The discussions highlight how this research influences perspectives on happiness and life planning, emphasizing that external events do not guarantee lasting happiness, which can significantly shape attitudes and societal views.

Abstract in brief

  • According to adaptation level theory, winning the lottery does not lead to lasting increases in happiness because people tend to adapt quickly, and the contrast of the peak experience diminishes the joy of everyday pleasures.
  • The study found that lottery winners are not happier than non-winners and actually enjoy everyday activities less, suggesting that major wins and accidents have similar effects on happiness levels due to adaptation and contrast effects.
  • Paralyzed accident victims tend to idealize their past rather than experience increased happiness from their current situation, highlighting that both contrast and habituation influence how people perceive happiness after major life events.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Harry Gray
@MeatMafiaHarry · X

Two life-changing events. One horrific. One overwhelmingly random and positive. Here's what they found out about happiness

Jun 28, 2022 · 14 likes · 1 share · 56,073 followers View post →
ジョージ
@orpelas · X

#金森式 目標達成後の「快楽の踏み車」とは? 目標達成したという喜びは長続きしない。例えば宝くじの当選者が半年後には、ほぼ全員が元の精神状態に戻ってしまう。これと同じようにダイエットで目標体重をクリアーしても、その喜びは続かない。達成後の新たな目標が必要

Sep 20, 2021 · 5 likes · 1,838 followers View post →
Michael
@neolithicrumba2 · X

Here's a link to studies that looked at happiness, including a famous one that compared lottery winners and people who were paralyzed after a car accident. Yes, winning the lottery will make you happy. Not being able to walk again will make you sad https://t.co/Fl9xMKDk0z

Aug 25, 2022 · 2 likes · 20,653 followers View post →
Giuseppe Sollazzo
@puntofisso · X

@rowlsmanthorpe This classic research paper might offer some insight into that: https://t.co/X5S8HU8TUo

Sep 3, 2020 · 1 like · 7,011 followers View post →
Patrick Jolliffe
@jolliffe · X

@oraclebase Serious(ish) question to a throw-away tweet, if you actually did win it, would it change your life at all? Do you think you would be happier (if so why)? https://t.co/No7AbjWTF1

Jul 30, 2021 · 1 like · 771 followers View post →
Liberalism made me impotent
@stolperson · X

@SmashingUrFort There are a lot. Self-reported happiness has proven to be real hard to correlate with anything really. A fun one is https://t.co/hitrzJqr83, but it is old. I can't really be arsed to look through all the data on happiness research atm though and the books I've read are in Swedish

Nov 11, 2025 · 1 like · 533 followers View post →

All mentions

Liberalism made me impotent
@stolperson · X

@SmashingUrFort There are a lot. Self-reported happiness has proven to be real hard to correlate with anything really. A fun one is https://t.co/hitrzJqr83, but it is old. I can't really be arsed to look through all the data on happiness research atm though and the books I've read are in Swedish

Nov 11, 2025 · 1 like · 533 followers View post →
a2/acc
@alxaps23 · X

@legen_eth Hot take: Life never had purpose; we want purpose to make the life meaningful; putting meaning into things is what humans do; there will be no limit to wanting more look at lottery winners: https://t.co/EhBiZmkzK5 they are not significantly happier. there is no ceiling.

Oct 30, 2025 · 165 followers View post →
Gi
@plutostillexist · X

Tadi siang pas istirahat randomly baca studi psikologi yang cukup mind blowing menurut aku. Judulnya : "Lottery winners and accident victims: is happiness relative?" Bisa dibaca disini : https://t.co/1Lmdi3fdfw Cont

Oct 14, 2025 · 156 followers View post →
Parzıval
@omerxokcu · X

@BayTutumlu Okumak isteyenler için kaynak: Brickman, P., Coates, D., & Janoff-Bulman, R. (1978). "Lottery winners and accident victims: Is happiness relative?" Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 36(8), 917-927.

Jun 29, 2025 · 1 like · 110 followers View post →
zac
@vomit_induction · X

sauce: https://t.co/upLD5f3y9S

Jun 20, 2025 · 574 followers View post →
Nikolai Baakh
@BaakhOff · X

https://t.co/zIbLCfj6oA Here's a good article on that theme. You will always go to the baseline But in the context of the show I will not agree https://t.co/wI36DJBAFV

Jan 20, 2024 · 1 like · 127 followers View post →
Marnie
@GingerAdd1ct · X

@siegemeister675 @DragonQueenRhae @hollowearthterf Paraplegics in general are happier than lottery winners over time the fear and dehumanization of rape has a greater impact on human psychology than losing the use of limbs, it may not seem logical to you but that’s the reality of how the brain functions. https://t.co/p1FeBirzOU. https://t.co/sqwPYvg1a9

Jul 30, 2023 · 1,729 followers View post →
Michael
@neolithicrumba2 · X

Here's a link to studies that looked at happiness, including a famous one that compared lottery winners and people who were paralyzed after a car accident. Yes, winning the lottery will make you happy. Not being able to walk again will make you sad https://t.co/Fl9xMKDk0z

Aug 25, 2022 · 2 likes · 20,653 followers View post →
Harry Gray
@MeatMafiaHarry · X

Two life-changing events. One horrific. One overwhelmingly random and positive. Here's what they found out about happiness

Jun 28, 2022 · 14 likes · 1 share · 56,073 followers View post →
$nek.eth
@sneklikeshoops · X

@asherwolfff Everyone has unique struggles, and happiness doesn't really improve from what you see in any social media, gloss over the main ideas in this study. Your struggles and your happiness can only be yours even if you hit the lottery tomorrow the W isn't secure https://t.co/GyCiopGy4h

May 7, 2022 · 195 followers View post →
Sergio Tufiño
@SergioTufino23 · X

Existe un estudio, que reposa en la National Library of Medicine, que demuestra que incluso algo demasiado soñado, como ganar la lotería, no incrementa la felicidad a largo plazo. https://t.co/Lpolhl1VME

Feb 18, 2022 · 264 followers View post →
Jacob Peterson
@NwjacobP · X

@johndoe9_99 @I_AM_SONINEM Do your best to get your baseline composure before you make big decisions. Statistically lotto winners and paralyzed people experience the same amount of happiness. https://t.co/RbUPaJCsF2

Dec 7, 2021 · 807 followers View post →
ジョージ
@orpelas · X

#金森式 目標達成後の「快楽の踏み車」とは? 目標達成したという喜びは長続きしない。例えば宝くじの当選者が半年後には、ほぼ全員が元の精神状態に戻ってしまう。これと同じようにダイエットで目標体重をクリアーしても、その喜びは続かない。達成後の新たな目標が必要

Sep 20, 2021 · 5 likes · 1,838 followers View post →
Ben Ivory
@bennoivory · X

@RichardFoxPhoto This article is fascinating. Lottery winners vs people paralysed in accidents. After initial elation/despondency both groups return to baseline. Essentially if you’re miserable now, you’ll be miserable rich. https://t.co/Rq694mL4VF

Aug 31, 2021 · 1,367 followers View post →
Patrick Jolliffe
@jolliffe · X

@oraclebase Serious(ish) question to a throw-away tweet, if you actually did win it, would it change your life at all? Do you think you would be happier (if so why)? https://t.co/No7AbjWTF1

Jul 30, 2021 · 1 like · 771 followers View post →
Giuseppe Sollazzo
@puntofisso · X

@rowlsmanthorpe This classic research paper might offer some insight into that: https://t.co/X5S8HU8TUo

Sep 3, 2020 · 1 like · 7,011 followers View post →
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