Happiness

Research suggests it can—but the real answer is more complicated.

Want a content citizenry? Try allocating tax dollars to roads, parks, and libraries.

There's more evidence that selfishness is self-defeating.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Don't underestimate the happiness physical presents can produce.

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.

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

Are conservatives more miserable than liberals?

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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?