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Related Experiment Video

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Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Emotion Regulation

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Differential preferences for happiness: extraversion and trait-consistent emotion regulation.

¹Department of Psychology, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA. tamirm@bc.edu

Journal of Personality

|February 18, 2009

Summary

People’s desire for happiness isn't universal. This study shows that extraversion and situational demands influence preferences for happiness, especially during effortful tasks.

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Social Psychology
Personality Psychology

Background:

The common assumption that all individuals universally seek happiness is prevalent in both psychological research and public perception.
However, emerging research suggests that the motivation for happiness may not be consistent across different people or situations.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the variability in happiness preferences based on individual differences and situational contexts.
To examine the relationship between trait extraversion, situational demands, and the motivation to pursue happiness.

Main Methods:

Three studies were conducted to assess emotional preferences.
Participants' trait extraversion levels were measured.
Emotional preferences were evaluated in the context of anticipating an effortful task requiring motivational engagement.

Main Results:

Preferences for happiness varied significantly as a function of trait extraversion and situational demands.
Extraverts showed a greater preference for happiness-inducing activities compared to introverts, particularly when anticipating effortful tasks.
These differential motives for happiness were distinct from preferences for other emotions and unaffected by concurrent emotional states.

Conclusions:

The motivation to increase happiness is not uniform across individuals or contexts.
Trait extraversion plays a crucial role in shaping emotional preferences, especially in demanding situations.
Individuals lower in extraversion may exhibit reduced motivation to pursue happiness when faced with effortful tasks.