What if happiness depended on one's own culture? Do our inner drivers change depending on societal or individual values? What do we reckon to be fulfilling, what does self-realization look like to us?

1. “Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself
in your way of thinking.”
(Marcus Aurelius)
Maria Antonietta Marino - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariaantoniettamarino/

2. Maria Antonietta Marino - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariaantoniettamarino/
"Research in the field of positive psychology and happiness often
define a happy person as someone who experiences frequent
positive emotions, such as joy, interest, and pride, and infrequent
(though not absent) negative emotions, such as sadness, anxiety
and anger.
Happiness overall it has to do with the positive experience
of emotions."
(Rubin Khoddam - Psychology Today)
*****
Did you know, however, that happiness is an emotion known to all
societies across the world that, contrary to popular belief, is not
necessarily a "private" but rather a cultural matter?

3. Maria Antonietta Marino - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariaantoniettamarino/
People in
individualistic
cultures (typically
Western societies)
appear to be
happier than those
in collectivist
cultures
Focus is on
personal priorities
and self-realization.
People emphasize
individual
freedom and
achievements
Work is often seen
as a key factor to
happiness in terms
of pleasant feelings,
satisfying judgments,
self-validation
Happiness is
reserved for those
who are successful
or perceive themselves
as such

4. Maria Antonietta Marino - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariaantoniettamarino/
People in collectivist
cultures (typically Eastern
societies) tend to regard
community and tradition as
a source of happiness,
associated with social
bonds and social
responsibility
Happiness
is a result of interpersonal
harmony, of opportunities
to contribute to the
collective good, since
collectivism revolves mainly
around honor and
public reputation
In collectivist
cultures work is seen as a
key factor to happiness in
terms of fulfillment of an
expected social role. One's
role in the community is
more important than
personal joy
Defining one’s
identity in terms of one’s
public roles and reputation
is typical of collectivist
cultures, where social
relationships are more
stable

5. SOURCES
Ye D, Ng YK, Lian Y. Culture and Happiness. Soc Indic Res. 2014;123(2):519-547
Diener, E., & Diener, M. (1995). Cross-cultural correlates of life satisfaction
and self-esteem. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 68, 653-663
Lu, L. (2001). Understanding Happiness: A Look into the Chinese Folk Psychology.
Journal of Happiness Studies 2(4), p. 407-432. DOI: 10.1023/A:1013944228205
Oishi S, & Diener E. (2001). Goals, culture, and subjective well-being. Personality
and Social Psychology Bulletin, 27, 1674-1682
Maria Antonietta Marino - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariaantoniettamarino/