Happiness

Research shows "hygge," or intentional intimacy, is the driving force behind the Danes' generally positive attitude.

• By Marie Helweg-Larsen

New research finds people on different ends of the economic spectrum find happiness in different ways.

• By Tom Jacobs

The best use of spare cash is to purchase devices or services that save you time.

• By Tom Jacobs

New research from Germany suggests growing up in a single-parent household produces a small but significant long-term negative impact.

• By Tom Jacobs

Not today, not tomorrow, but positive daydreaming may lead to depression down the road.

• By Nathan Collins

Though we wake in fear of mediocrity, let us cease to be crippled by it.

• By Christopher Cokinos

Don't underestimate the happiness physical presents can produce.

• By Tom Jacobs

The latest entry in a special project in which business and labor leaders, social scientists, technology visionaries, activists, and journalists weigh in on the most consequential changes in the workplace.

• By Rosanne Currarino

New research finds happier people live longer, on average, while angry ones are more likely to die early.

• By Tom Jacobs

Are conservatives more miserable than liberals?

• By Pacific Standard Staff

A large-scale study shows faith in one’s fellow man increases as we get older.

• By Tom Jacobs

New research throws into question the belief that right-wingers tend to be happier than those on the left.

• By Tom Jacobs

Marriage isn’t the happiness elixir America wants it to be. If anything, it simply distracts us from persisting economic and social injustices that undermine all types of relationships.

• By Maya Dusenbery

New research finds the closer a nation is to the genetic make-up of Denmark, the happier its citizens are.

• By Tom Jacobs

Several new studies exploring the effects of laughter are contributing to a fast-growing body of research that finds just how important it is to keeping us happy, healthy, and sane.

• By Katharine Gammon

Contrary to our expectations, using Facebook dampens our spirits, leaving us feeling like we've wasted time, according to new research.

• By Tom Jacobs

New research finds the lawyers who are most satisfied with their lives are those in public-service jobs.

• By Tom Jacobs

New research suggests people spend their money on material goods out of the belief that, compared to experiential purchases such as vacations, they provide better value for their money.

• By Tom Jacobs

Why we could all use a little more self-examination.

• By Casey N. Cep

Those who participated in a fire-walking ritual felt happier and less fatigued afterwards than close relatives who spectated.

• By Bettina Chang

Oliver Burkeman explores human nature, violence, feminism, and religion with one of the world’s most controversial cognitive scientists. Can he dent Steven Pinker’s optimism?

• By Oliver Burkeman

New research finds college students are happier than usual when they are engaging in creative activities.

• By Tom Jacobs

A round-up of recent research finds spending money on others can satisfy basic psychological needs and boost happiness.

• By Tom Jacobs

Probably a lot less than you think.

• By Kyle Chayka