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Are We Getting It Right? Values and Life Satisfaction

Author

Listed:
  • Marina Della Giusta

    (School of Economics, University of Reading)

  • Uma Kambhampati

    (School of Economics, University of Reading)

Abstract

The research agendas of psychologists and economists now have several overlaps, with behavioural economics providing theoretical and experimental study of the relationship between behaviour and choice, and hedonic psychology discussing appropriate measures of outcomes of choice in terms of overall utility or life satisfaction. Here we model the relationship between values (understood as principles guiding behaviour), choices and their final outcomes in terms of life satisfaction, and use data from the BHPS to assess whether our ideas on what is important in life (individual values) are broadly connected to what we experience as important in our lives (life satisfaction).

Suggested Citation

  • Marina Della Giusta & Uma Kambhampati, 2008. "Are We Getting It Right? Values and Life Satisfaction," Economics Discussion Papers em-dp2008-73, Department of Economics, University of Reading.
    • Handle: RePEc:rdg:emxxdp:em-dp2008-73
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    life satisfaction; utility; values;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles
    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • H00 - Public Economics - - General - - - General
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • J28 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Safety; Job Satisfaction; Related Public Policy

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