William Atkins
Monday, 09 February 2009 19:27
Science -
Health
Page 1 of 2
A U.S. psychological study has found that you can attain more happiness by spending money (whether it is a small or large amount) on life experiences that involve friends and family such as vacations rather than material things such as a television set or clothes. It's the memories that count, according to the study's conclusion.
Once your basic needs are met U.S. quantitative psychologist
Ryan T. Howell, from
San Francisco State University (California), has found that buying life experiences gives people more happiness in life than buying material things.
Why do life experiences give more happiness than material things?
According to Dr. Howell, the happiness provided by buying life experiences satisfies a basic need of humans to connect with other humans and to feel more alive while living our lifes.
Dr. Howell comments on people’s activities with spending money,
"If they go to the theater, or if they surf, or if they enjoy bed and breakfasts - it's a part of who they are."
He adds,
"It has a sense of giving you excitement and joy and energy - that can only come from an experience. Your computer does not give you a sense of vigor, a sense of excitement - but an experience does.” [ABC San Francisco: “
How to give the gift of happiness”]
Dr. Howell, an assistant professor of psychology, studied 154 adults from the ages of 19 to 50 years and came up with his conclusion based on these individuals.
Page two continues with comments from Dr. Howell on his terms of "experimental purchases" and "regular purchases."
