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Goal Setting in
Relation to
Happiness
Michael Lancaster
Psychology 1010
Summer 2017
Literature Review
Text book and peer reviewed articles
Experience Psychology
Third Edition textbook
o intentional activities like being physically active,
expressing kindness, showing gratitude, being
optimistic, dwelling less on negative experiences, and
engaging in positive self-reflection all enhance positive
affect (King, 2015).
o Discusses the fact that the above actions, along with the
pursuit of goals leads to increased happiness.
Attributed to working towards ones personal well-
being
Goal Motives, Well-Being, and Physical Health: Happiness and Self
reviewed article
reviewed article
This study looked at the effects of practicing
positive activities, expressing optimism and
gratitude, on well-being.
Also looked at whether or not knowledge of the
purpose of the study, to increase happiness,
effects the effort put forth by the participants in
the activity.
Continued
Results of the study found the knowledge of the
study purpose increased investment in the
activity which increased rates of increased
happiness.
Happiness was also increased in individual who
did not know the purpose of the study but
participated in the activities regardless.
Positivity has an effect on happiness. By doing
something that forces us to be positive we
become happier. If we can make a habit of being
positive we can continually progress towards
happiness.
Personal Application
Relation to Research
My Experiences Findings
Two years ago I was overweight In setting a goal to be
and unhealthy, and by extension I healthier and lose weight I
was perpetually either anxious or
moody.
because focused and
I made the decision that I wanted
motivated on something
to lose weight because I wanted positive (Sheldon et al.,
to look better and be healthier. 2010).
My anxiety has been completely I engaged in copious
resolved and I find myself in a amounts of physical activity,
better mood for the majority of
the time.
expressed gratitude to my
In doing these things I was wife for her support and
unknowingly making myself a engaged in positive self-
happier overall person. Now that I reflection (Miquelon &
know the impact that goal setting Vallerand, 2006).
can have on happiness
Conclusion
Based on the findings of the studies and the
information given in the textbook and peer
reviewed articles we have a road map on how to
be happy.
These principles can be applied to our own lives
as well as to the lives of those around us, so long
as they are willing, to increase overall happiness
through life.
Sources
King, L. A. (2015). Experience Psychology (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill
Education.
Lyubomirsky, S., Dickerhoof, R., Boehm, J. K., & Sheldon, K. M.
(2011). Becoming happier takes both a will and a proper way:
An experimental longitudinal intervention to boost well-
being.Emotion,11(2), 391-402. doi:10.1037/a0022575
Miquelon, P.,& Vallerand, R. (2006). Goal Motives, Well-Being,
and Physical Health: Happiness and Self-Realization as
Psychological Resources Under Challenge.Motivation&
Emotion,30(4), 259-272.
Sheldon, K. M., Abad, N., Ferguson, Y., Gunz, A., Houser-Marko,
L., Nichols, C. P., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2010). Persistent pursuit of
need-satisfying goals leads to increased happiness: A 6-month
experimental longitudinal study.Motivation& Emotion,34(1),
39-48.