Positive Clinical Psychology - Part III

by: Matthew Jacofsky, Psy. D.

Why Survive When You Can Thrive

by: Matthew Jacofsky, Psy. D.

How happiness is defined can influence the different paths needed to achieve it.  For example, according to positive psychology researcher and practitioner, PT Wong, there appears to be at least four paths to happiness, including hedonic, prudential, eudaimonic, and chaironic happiness.

According to Wong:

Hedonic Happiness refers to the type of happiness that is typically associated with the life philosophy of “eat drink, and be merry.”  It is the pleasure-seeking, while simultaneously avoiding the negative aspects of life, pathway to happiness and is often associated with the definitions of happiness and Subjective Well Being mentioned above.

Prudential Happiness refers to the feelings of satisfaction or happiness that comes from living an engaged life.  Specifically, it is the type of happiness that results from doing activities one loves for there own sake without having concern for the moral benefits to society these activities may bring.  It is often referred to the “active” path to happiness and relies on filling one’s life with activities that result in positive affect and/or satisfaction while decreasing boredom.

Eudaimonic Happiness is often associated with what the early Greek philosopher Aristotle referred to as the “good life.”  This type of happiness is the result of living a life characterized by character, virtue, meaning, purpose, concern for others, and making a difference, as well as the sense of fulfillment that comes from these pursuits.  It is different from both hedonic and prudential happiness in that its’ focus is on doing what is moral and ethical.  

Chaironic Happiness refers to the sense of happiness or feeling blessed and fortunate as result of experiencing feelings of awe and gratitude, and/or a sense of oneness with nature or God.  It represents the spiritual road to happiness and relies heavily on the attitude we take towards life, being mindful of life’s moments, and spiritual encounters.

Helping to expand peoples’ notion of happiness ensures that they can experience all the positive life has to offer not only under times of peace, prosperity, and success, but under times of profound suffering and life’s more difficult moments.  It also challenges the notion that certain life circumstances such as money, carefree times, and no responsibilities, although certainly beneficial, are by no means the only way to achieve or guarantee happiness.

Indeed, research suggests that below a certain monetary level money does in fact buy happiness.  This finding makes sense since part of our ideal definition of happiness is having our needs and desires met while avoiding negative experiences.  However, evidence also suggests that after a certain level of financial stability money surprisingly adds very little to our overall level of happiness. Turns out people are not just looking to find happiness, but instead are highly invested in searching for meaning.  

The following entry is Part 3 of a series on Positive Clinical Psychology.  Please return for further entries.

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