Proposals for Further Refuting Hedonic Adaptation Predictions

 

Some happiness researchers still believe that because of hedonic adaptation (adaptation level theory applied to happiness), wherein individuals tend to accustom themselves to both positive and negative circumstances, long-term changes in happiness level are prohibited.  Although Ed Diener and colleagues have recently presented compelling empirical evidence that certain circumstantial changes like marriage are not subject to this prohibition, the following two research proposals are submitted as means of presenting further evidence that dramatic changes in long term levels of happiness are not only quite possible, but actually matters of fact.

Refuting Hedonic Adaptation Predictions using Prisoners and Parolees
by George Ortega

Long-term happiness increases could be easily documented by using  American prison inmates as a target population.  Considering that the average level of happiness here in the United States is about 70 percent, the average level for prisoners incarcerated for over ten years may range between 60 and 70 percent, or lower, while the average level for long-term incarcerated parolees free for over ten years may range between 70 and 80 percent, or higher.

 Reviews by neither Argyle (2001), nor Myers (1992), nor Diener (1984) include studies on the happiness level of prisoners.  Diener (1999) includes a 1996 study by Kasser on prisoner aspirations and well being, however a search of the World Database of Happiness website revealed that no "prison-happiness" studies have been done, although "prison" was a listed search term with several sub-categories.

 If there turns out to be a substantial enough average difference between prisoners who have been incarcerated for over ten years, and similarly incarcerated parolees who have been free for over ten years, that finding would demonstrate that long-term happiness is not static as adaptation level theory predicts. 

 

Refuting Hedonic Adaptation Predictions using Emigrants
by George Ortega

Longitudinal emigration data can be used to demonstrate that adaptation theory does not prohibit long-term happiness increase. In the 1990’s, the average happiness levels of certain countries throughout the world were extremely low.  For example; Moldova, 1996- 44 percent;  Ukraine 1996- 48 percent;  Russia 1995- 51 percent.  (Source; World Values Surveys).

At the time these measurements were taken, some citizens from those countries presumably emigrated to countries like the United States, where average happiness levels are about 70 percent.

Measuring the current (2004), happiness levels of these emigrants to happier countries would likely show them to be close to average happiness levels in those happier countries.  The extrapolated resulting average happiness level increases would likely be much stronger than adaptation level theory predicts, thereby dramatically limiting the relevance of the theory to long-term happiness increase.