Scientists develop an accurate 'Equation for happiness'. - Polidicks

[QUOTE]Scientists have used a mathematical equation to accurately predict the happiness of more than 18,000 people around the world. The formula for happiness, according to the equation, depends on whether things are better than expected, and not just on how well things are going. [QUOTE][t]http://i.imgur.com/h1vraY5.jpg[/t][/QUOTE] People felt happiest when they performed better than expected on a risk-reward task. For their initial study, researchers at University College London used a smaller sample size of 26 subjects to formulate the mathematical equation. The subjects completed a decision-making task in which their choices led to monetary gains or losses. Meanwhile, they were also repeatedly asked, “How happy are you right now?” By measuring the subjects’ neural activity, the researchers built a computational model which explained the relationship between self-reported happiness and recent rewards and expectations. Source: [url]http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/08/05/equation-happiness-when-things-are-better-expected[/url][/QUOTE] I laugh at the quantification of emotions. i suppose the 'having low expectations = happiness' result is pretty true; less stress.

So pessimism > optimism? I guess it makes sense when you think about it. Having low expectations means less chance of disappointment, but it leaves room for pleasant surprises.

This equation makes me unhappy, I thought math wouldn't be used. This sucks.

A true happiness equation would have many more variables...

[QUOTE=Madtoker;45594298]A true happiness equation would have many more variables...[/QUOTE] TBH, I was expecting a differential equation.

Which is the variable for making an ugly woman your wife?

[QUOTE=Furioso;45593956]So pessimism > optimism? I guess it makes sense when you think about it. Having low expectations means less chance of disappointment, but it leaves room for pleasant surprises.[/QUOTE] Optimistic people are actually shown to live generally happier and healthier lives, iirc; although I'm sure there's a catch to that.

It's been well known for quite a while in psychology that the process of 'things appearing to get better' is what drives most people's happiness, but I never expected them to formulate an equation from it :v: [editline]4th August 2014[/editline] [QUOTE=Furioso;45593956]So pessimism > optimism? I guess it makes sense when you think about it. Having low expectations means less chance of disappointment, but it leaves room for pleasant surprises.[/QUOTE] Well, no. Having low expectations =/= pessimism. Pessimism implies you're always looking at the down side of life rather than just not expecting extravagant results. It causes constant depression if anything. [editline]4th August 2014[/editline] While being optimistic does mean you're more easily let down, it also means that you're still looking forward to the future even in the case of said event.

i thought it was gonna be like money+pussy=happiness

[QUOTE=Mingebox;45594327]Which is the variable for making an ugly woman your wife?[/QUOTE] love

[QUOTE=Mingebox;45594327]Which is the variable for making an ugly woman your wife?[/QUOTE] Rohypnol * Time^{-2}

Happiness = (alcohol)^(alcohol)

Silly scientists, all you need is engraved walls, a waterfall and a few statues in your dining room to be truly happy.

Does this mean that if expectations are too high or too low that the series will diverge or not? Granted, I have no idea what any of the variables in the equation represent.

if you think about it this experiment was framed in a way which would produce the result they desired, in the sense that the experiment itself defines its own criteria for/definition of happiness. which isn't to say that this definition of happiness is unique but it isn't functional in every context or every experiment.

[QUOTE=Chief Martini;45594424]Optimistic people are actually shown to live generally happier and healthier lives, iirc; although I'm sure there's a catch to that.[/QUOTE] My guess is if you're a pessimist you're more likely to dismiss doing something because you expect to fail, but if you're an optimist you'll at least give yourself an honest chance to succeed.

Happiness =) in an index system where ( is sadness, O is surprise and / is disappointment.

[QUOTE=Zeke129;45594884]Happiness = (alcohol)^(alcohol)[/QUOTE] That doesn't make any sense. You need to have some constant in your exponent with units of inverse alcohol. Jesus Christ, Zeke. Mathematics 101. Other than that little fuck up, I definitely concur.

[QUOTE=sltungle;45596178]That doesn't make any sense. You need to have some constant in your exponent with units of inverse alcohol. Jesus Christ, Zeke. Mathematics 101. Other than that little fuck up, I definitely concur.[/QUOTE] Happiness = (alcohol)^(alcohol) - (mathematical ability)

Yes, but when will they discover the anti-life equation?

: + ) = :)

[QUOTE=AK'z;45598812]: + ) = :)[/QUOTE] this guy's onto something

[QUOTE=Furioso;45593956]So pessimism > optimism? I guess it makes sense when you think about it. Having low expectations means less chance of disappointment, but it leaves room for pleasant surprises.[/QUOTE] It's what I always do, people have called me a "pessimistic optimist" for it (wtf I'm just being realistic). I expect it to be shit, so that at worst I can say it's just as I expected and I can only be pleasantly surprised. :v:

Reminds me of a story from Ray Bradbury Dandelion Wine, where a guy in the small 1920s town, tries to build a hapiness machine.

Would it kill them to define the variables in the article?

happy