• DOI:10.1037/0033-2909.131.6.803
• Corpus ID: 684129

The Benefits of Frequent Positive Affect: Does Happiness Lead to Success?

@inproceedings{Lyubomirsky2005TheBO,
  title={The Benefits of Frequent Positive Affect: Does Happiness Lead to Success?},
  author={Sonja Lyubomirsky and Laura A. King and Ed Diener},
  booktitle={Psychological bulletin},
  year={2005}
}

• S. Lyubomirsky, L. King, E. Diener
• Published in Psychological bulletin 1 November 2005
• Psychology, Business

Numerous studies show that happy individuals are successful across multiple life domains, including marriage, friendship, income, work performance, and health. The authors suggest a conceptual model to account for these findings, arguing that the happiness-success link exists not only because success makes people happy, but also because positive affect engenders success. Three classes of evidence--crosssectional, longitudinal, and experimental--are documented to test their model. Relevant studies are described and their effect sizes combined meta-analytically. The results reveal that happiness is associated with and precedes numerous successful outcomes, as well as behaviors paralleling success. Furthermore, the evidence suggests that positive affect--the hallmark of well-being--may be the cause of many of the desirable characteristics, resources, and successes correlated with happiness. Limitations, empirical issues, and important future research questions are discussed.