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What Does “Happiness” Prompt in Your Mind? Culture, Word Choice, and Experienced Happiness

Author

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  • Ji-eun Shin

    (Singapore Management University)

  • Eunkook M. Suh

    (Yonsei University)

  • Kimin Eom

    (University of California at Santa Barbara)

  • Heejung S. Kim

    (University of California at Santa Barbara)

Abstract

What three words come to your mind in association with “happiness”? We analyzed the 1563 words reported by 521 Korean and American participants in this free association task. The most frequently endorsed word was “family” in Korea, whereas the most popular word among Americans was “smile.” The overall frequency of social words (e.g., relationships, social emotions) reported by Koreans was higher, and the most often mentioned relationship type differed between the two groups (family in Korea; friend in the US). Nonetheless, both in Korea and the US, individuals who mentioned more social words were significantly more satisfied with their lives. The amount of social support provision mediated the link between the number of reported social words and experienced happiness. Regardless of culture, a simple count of social words associated with happiness appears to offer a reasonably good clue for how happy the person actually is.

Suggested Citation

  • Ji-eun Shin & Eunkook M. Suh & Kimin Eom & Heejung S. Kim, 2018. "What Does “Happiness” Prompt in Your Mind? Culture, Word Choice, and Experienced Happiness," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(3), pages 649-662, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:19:y:2018:i:3:d:10.1007_s10902-016-9836-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-016-9836-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Chuhua Zheng & Yanhong Wu, 2020. "The More Modest You are, the Happier You are: The Mediating Roles of Emotional Intelligence and Self-esteem," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(5), pages 1603-1615, June.
    3. İbrahim Demirci, 2022. "Family Harmony and Flourishing in Turkey: The Roles of Interdependent Happiness and Harmony in Life," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 985-1005, March.
    4. Chen-Wei Yu & Yen-Ping Chang & Cheng-Hsien Li & Hsiang-Yi Wu, 2023. "From Emotion Beliefs to Regulatory Behavior: Gratitude Journaling Initiation and Outcomes," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 57-78, January.
    5. Gabriela Mihaela Muresan & Cristina Ciumas & Monica Violeta Achim, 2020. "Can Money Buy Happiness? Evidence for European Countries," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(4), pages 953-970, September.

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