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Would You Be Happier If You Looked Better? A Focusing Illusion

Author

Listed:
  • Lukasz Kaczmarek
  • Jolanta Enko
  • Małgorzata Awdziejczyk
  • Natalia Hoffmann
  • Natalia Białobrzeska
  • Przemysław Mielniczuk
  • Stephan Dombrowski

Abstract

Some people might believe that individuals who are more satisfied with their body are also happier. However, people tend to overrate the influence of some factors (e.g. money or health) on their happiness; a phenomenon termed the focusing illusion. Our aim was to examine the focusing illusion in relation to body satisfaction. We experimentally manipulated body satisfaction and life satisfaction focus by varying the order of relevant measurement scales. Volunteers (N = 97) completed two questionnaires placed in separate envelopes to control the order of scales administration. Participants either completed the Body Satisfaction Scale followed by the Satisfaction with Life Scale or vice versa. In line with the focusing illusion the association between body satisfaction and life satisfaction was significantly stronger when participants were asked about their body satisfaction first. Body satisfaction as a focusing illusion may need to be considered by scientist as well as lay people who try to look better and be happier. Copyright The Author(s) 2016

Suggested Citation

  • Lukasz Kaczmarek & Jolanta Enko & Małgorzata Awdziejczyk & Natalia Hoffmann & Natalia Białobrzeska & Przemysław Mielniczuk & Stephan Dombrowski, 2016. "Would You Be Happier If You Looked Better? A Focusing Illusion," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 357-365, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:17:y:2016:i:1:p:357-365
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-014-9598-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kristin Layous & S. Katherine Nelson & Sonja Lyubomirsky, 2013. "What Is the Optimal Way to Deliver a Positive Activity Intervention? The Case of Writing About One’s Best Possible Selves," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(2), pages 635-654, April.
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    3. Daniel Kahneman & Alan B. Krueger & David Schkade & Norbert Schwarz & Arthur A. Stone, 2006. "Would You Be Happier If You Were Richer? A Focusing Illusion," Working Papers 77, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Center for Economic Policy Studies..
    4. Steven Toepfer & Kelly Cichy & Patti Peters, 2012. "Letters of Gratitude: Further Evidence for Author Benefits," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 13(1), pages 187-201, March.
    5. Michael Eid & Ed Diener, 2004. "Global Judgments of Subjective Well-Being: Situational Variability and Long-Term Stability," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 65(3), pages 245-277, February.
    6. Daniel Kahneman & Alan B. Krueger & David Schkade & Norbert Schwarz & Arthur A. Stone, 2006. "Would You Be Happier If You Were Richer? A Focusing Illusion," Working Papers 77, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Center for Economic Policy Studies..
    7. Geraghty, Adam W.A. & Wood, Alex M. & Hyland, Michael E., 2010. "Attrition from self-directed interventions: Investigating the relationship between psychological predictors, intervention content and dropout from a body dissatisfaction intervention," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(1), pages 30-37, July.
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