Happiness. It’s something we all strive for in life. But what truly makes people happy? This question has puzzled philosophers, researchers, and everyday people for centuries. However, a new scientific study may have finally uncovered the key to happiness.
Introduction
Happiness means different things to different people. For some, it may mean financial security. For others, it could mean strong relationships. And for others still, it may mean personal fulfillment. But there is one thing that happiness has in common, regardless of how it manifests in someone’s life: it is a highly sought-after state of being.
In recent years, the field of positive psychology has sought to scientifically study happiness and what factors contribute to it. Researchers have found connections between happiness and things like gratitude, mindfulness, and strong social ties. However, the full picture has remained unclear. What, at its core, drives happiness? Is there one key factor that makes all the difference?
A new study conducted by researchers at Harvard University indicates that there may, in fact, be one crucial key to happiness. And surprisingly, it has little to do with money, relationships, or success.
The Study
The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, looked at data from a sample of over 1,700 individuals. These people represented a demographically diverse cross-section of America. The researchers utilized survey data that measured respondents’ happiness levels and already included robust data on respondents’ income, health, marital status, family size, age, and other demographic factors.
What the researchers focused in on was data that assessed people’s perceptions of their position on the social hierarchy. Specifically, they looked at how respondents rated themselves in terms of income, education, and occupational prestige. They wanted to understand where people ranked themselves relative to others in their country.
The analysis showed a strong correlation between happiness and subjective socioeconomic status. Put simply, people who felt they had high social standing were happier than those who felt lower on the social ladder, regardless of their actual income, education level, or occupational prestige.
To further validate this conclusion, the researchers looked at changes in subjective social status and happiness over time. They found that increases in perceived social status predicted future increases in happiness. Decreases showed the opposite effect.
These findings held true even when controlling for variables like income, showing that subjective social status had an effect above and beyond actual socioeconomic status.
Why Subjective Social Status Matters
The results highlight the important role our perceptions play in determining our happiness levels. Even if objective measures don’t show you at the top of the socioeconomic hierarchy, feeling like you are high up on the social ladder can have a big impact on your life satisfaction.
But why is this the case? What makes subjective social status such a key component of happiness?
Status Drives Core Psychological Needs
Researchers propose that social status impacts happiness because it affects core psychological needs like respect and social inclusion. Higher status leads to feelings of regard and acceptance, while lower status is linked to shame and exclusion. Satisfying inherent social needs produces positive emotions.
Along these lines, lack of status is often interpreted as a threat to wellbeing. Being seen as low in standing can activate stress responses and anxiety. High status does the opposite – it signals safety and security.
Sense of Control
Subjective social status also shapes people’s perceptions of control over their lives. Those who see themselves lower down feel like they have less agency and mastery. They may feel trapped in life circumstances, breeding unhappiness. Higher status generates an internal locus of control, which is tied to life satisfaction.
Status as a Gauge of Progress
We also rely on social status as feedback on how we are progressing through life. Do I have the career, wealth, home, education, etc. that I aspire to? Am I “successful”? Subjective social status provides an evaluative benchmark, informing our sense of thriving.
While objective measures provide similar feedback, perceptions of status tend to more directly impact happiness. Subjective social standing reflects an integrated, big-picture sense of advancement.
Brain Processing of Status
Brain imaging studies suggest that our perceptions of rank activate reward centers in the brain. Higher perceived status lights up areas linked to positive emotions. This explains why boosts in subjective social status have an uplifting effect, while drops feel detrimental.
Clearly, subjective social status taps into several psychological and biological mechanisms that play a central role in emotional wellbeing and life satisfaction. While objective measures like income or educational qualifications matter, our perceptions appear to be the dominant force.
Implications of the Research
These findings have important implications, both for individuals looking to boost happiness in their own lives and for societies seeking to create the conditions for citizens to thrive.
For Individuals
On an individual level, this research highlights the need to proactively cultivate and nurture a sense of high social standing. Practicing gratitude, focusing on abundance rather than lack, surrounding oneself with positive influences, and disengaging from problematic social comparisons can all help one see themselves as having high status.
Therapeutic approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can also aid in identifying and altering self-limiting beliefs that feed into perceptions of low status. Building self-esteem and adopting empowering narratives are key.
For Societies
For societies, the takeaway is that allowing too many citizens to feel excluded from social participation, respect and other elements of full membership in a community comes at a huge cost to happiness. Combating discrimination, investing in education, creating economic safety nets, and ensuring access to growth opportunities are imperative.
Systems and policies that widen status divides and fail to convey value for all segments of society should be reformed. Fostering social cohesion and demonstrating that everyone has a respected place in the social fabric should be priorities for policymakers aiming to increase happiness.
The research clearly shows that people’s happiness depends on more than just their objective resources or life circumstances. Subjective social status – the way people view their position in society – is a vital piece of the puzzle. Individuals and communities have the power to shape these perceptions.
Key Factors That Make Up Subjective Social Status
While the Harvard study reveals the integral importance of subjective social status, what exactly makes up this measure? What are the key variables that shape how people rate themselves relative to others in society?
Several factors emerge as pivotal:
Income and Wealth
- How much money someone makes significantly influences perceptions of status. Income provides access to material resources that affect social standing. Wealth enables entry into elite social circles.
Occupation and Job Status
- Perceived prestige and skill level of one’s occupation impacts status judgments. More respected careers like medicine, law, and academia are associated with higher status.
Educational Credentials
- Degrees from prestigious institutions and high levels of education strongly bolster feelings of high social standing. A PhD or medical degree conveys higher status than a high school diploma.
Possessions and Lifestyle
- Material possessions act as status symbols. Luxury goods, cars, homes, and consumer choices communicate rankings and social class.
Family Background
- Coming from a well-regarded, influential family gives status benefits. The accomplishments of parents and ancestors boost social capital.
Social Circles and Networks
- The company one keeps shapes perceptions of status. Access to selective groups or elite social circles lifts standing.
Influence and Authority
- Power over people and resources – like through political office, business leadership or fame – increases status.
Physical Appearance
- Attractiveness, nice clothing, and intensive grooming influence status judgments, as do race, gender, and age.
Clearly, subjective social standing stems from a complex interplay of various factors. It is not as simple as looking at someone’s income or job title. Status is multifaceted and contextual. This explains why people can land at different points on the perceived hierarchy despite similar objective measures of achievement.
Why Focusing On Status Can Be Problematic
While perceptions of high social status may boost happiness, making status pursuits the focus of one’s life can actually backfire. There are several downsides to prioritizing status:
Social Comparison and Self-Criticism
Basing self-worth on status leads to endless social comparison. There will always be others higher up to compare oneself to negatively. Self-criticism rises.
Decreased Cooperation and Community
Status competition breeds individualism, undermining group solidarity. Cooperation and concern for others decrease. Social cohesion frays.
Unethical Behavior
Fixation on getting ahead can lead people to cut ethical corners, take advantage of others, and compromise morals. Values get pushed aside.
Illusory Benefits
Research shows that the happiness benefits of status tend to be short-lived. The boost quickly fades. And those at the top often aren’t as happy as expected.
Loss of Time and Freedom
Pursuing status requires substantial investments of time, energy, and freedom. Long work hours, religious devotion to career, and family sacrifices become normalized.
Increased Stress and Anxiety
Status seekers inevitably experience frequent blows to their sense of superiority. Huge stress arises from demotions, being surpassed, humiliations, and the precariousness of rank.
While perceptions of high social standing contribute to happiness, making status the supreme goal often backfires. Moderation and balance are key. There are many paths to feeling respected, valued, and socially included. Status is only one, and an especially tricky one. Investing too heavily in status risks bringing more harm than good.
Tips To Improve Your Subjective Social Status
Given the benefits high perceived social status can have for subjective wellbeing, what are some healthy ways individuals can improve their sense of ranking without going overboard into status obsession?
Here are 5 tips:
1. Surround Yourself With Positive Influences
Associate with pro-social, community-minded groups. Avoid toxic influencers who equate worth with visible success. Adopt growth mindsets.
2. Focus On Abundance, Not Lack
Cultivate gratitude for what you have. Re-center attention on present abundance rather than fixing deficiencies. Savor daily joys.
3. Re-Evaluate Comparisons
Avoid comparisons based on superficial status markers. Redirect thoughts to character, values and pro-social impact when assessing yourself vs others.
4. Seek Esteem From Within
Reduce fixation on external status symbols. Focus on developing self-esteem, self-worth, and ethics to foster inner esteem. Derive pride from personal growth.
5. Contribute To Causes Greater Than Self
Reduce self-focus by directing time/resources to social/environmental causes. Volunteering, community service and helping others boosts purpose and esteem.
The key is balancing awareness of status’ benefits with moderation and wisdom. Pay attention to feelings of inclusion, respect, value and belonging. But seek to satisfy these core emotional needs without an excessive focus on rank, power, and narrow status markers. Align with pro-social groups and adopt ethical values to build genuine esteem.
FAQs
Does this mean I should forget about objective goals like getting a degree or promotion?
No, objective goals still matter for accessing resources and opportunities. But don’t rely on achievements alone to fulfill emotional needs. Complement them with efforts to cultivate positive social perceptions, inclusion and belonging. Don’t equate worldly success with social rank or superior esteem.
Isn’t some status pursuit natural and even good?
Yes, humans evolved to care about rank, and some status pursuit fuels achievement and innovation. But taken to extremes, status fixation can damage well-being and ethics. The key is balance. Feel good about achievements without developing entitled, superior attitudes. Maintain egalitarian values while being aware of status feelings.
How can I improve my subjective social status?
Focus less on what you lack compared to others. Cultivate gratitude. Identify and associate with positive, pro-social groups that make you feel valued. Invest in personal growth that provides genuine self-esteem. Contribute to causes greater than self. Avoid buying into rigid social hierarchies or locking into negative status narratives.
How can we structure society to support positive status perceptions?
Policies that combat discrimination, provide education and growth opportunities, reduce extreme inequality, and promote inclusive communities help citizens feel valued and respected, enhancing status perceptions. Structural reforms to support human dignity for all segments of society should complement individual efforts.
Should I stop pursuing a degree or career because of potential status obsession?
Not necessarily. Self-improvement goals and professional aspirations are worthwhile. The key is maintaining perspective and not tying your entire esteem to narrowly defined status. Complement worldly pursuits with spiritual, ethical, familial, and community growth. Derive self-worth from multiple areas of life, not just career success.
Conclusion
This fascinating new study reveals that subjective perceptions of social status and standing represent a key factor in determining levels of happiness and life satisfaction. While objective socioeconomic status undeniably plays a role, how people view their rank relative to others in society has an even more potent impact on emotional wellbeing.
These findings hold exciting possibilities for helping individuals structure their thought patterns and priorities in ways that support perceiving themselves positively. However, an excessive focus on narrow status markers should be avoided, as too much emphasis on social rank can be detrimental. Moderation is key, as are inclusive values and associations.
For societies, fostering conditions that allow all citizens to feel respected and valued is crucial for raising happiness levels. Combating corrosive status divides and discrimination represents an ethical and psychological imperative.
As we seek happiness for ourselves and others, perceptions of standing deserve reflection. But we must be careful not to lose sight of the many other contributors to life satisfaction that extend far beyond status. Generosity, community, meaning, self-acceptance, growth, and compassion matter just as much, if not more.
While social status may be part of the recipe for happiness, it is by no means the whole recipe. This timely study provides invaluable insight into a key psychological driver, but many other vital ingredients remain. Our life priorities must reflect this nuanced understanding.