Alexandra Irvin

Professor Deby Jizi

UWRT 1102-29
17 February 2016
Double Entry Journal
Citation:

Mochon, Daniel, Michael I. Norton, and Dan Ariely. "Getting Off the Hedonic Treadmill,
One Step at a Time." Pursuing Happiness: A Bedford Spotlight Reader. Place of Publication Not
Identified: Bedford Bks St Martin'S, 2015. 324-36. Print.

Source: Quote (Page# or Paragraph #)

Responses

certain seemingly minor events- such as

attending religious services or exercisingmay do so by providing small but frequent
boosts: if people engage in such behaviors
with sufficient frequency, they may
cumulatively experience enough boosts to
attain higher well-being.
Pg. 324

I can relate to this particular thought pattern

because I find myself feeling more positive
and happier when Im attending church
regularly as well as taking care of my physical
self by eating healthy and exercising properly.

People in positive moods have also been

shown to be more creative problem solvers,
more likely to attain a mutually favorable
outcome while bargaining, and more willing
to seek variety among positive choices.
Pg. 325

When Im in a good mood and happy Im

much more willing to work through a difficult
situation without getting frustrated as easily.

suggest that though there may be shortlived effects of external shocks on wellbeing, people return to their baseline in the
long run, a baseline which is determined
primarily by their personalities cause them
to pursue.
Pg. 327

Based on my own personal experience I

know in my own life that I dont let small
events have a permanent effect on how I view
life. Yes, there will be times where I am upset
or I am sad because of an event in my life but
I ultimately go back to being who I am
because I know these things are only
temporary.

that those who are most involved with

their religion are almost twice as likely to
report being very happy than those with
the least involvement.
Pg. 328

I think people are more happy that are

involved in their religion because they are
surrounded by a larger support group in their
life so they dont feel like theyre alone trying
to solve their problems.

physical exercise is known to generate

endorphins that improve mood
pg. 328

I know that when I personally exercise even if

I dont feel like I want to on a particular day
when I do and its over I feel more positive
and energetic and overall feel better about
myself.

Every time people attend a service they get

small boosts, which over time seem to lead
to a permanent change in their baseline
level of well-being.
Pg. 333

I think that if you continue to participate and

surround yourself with something that makes
you happen even if its small and not life
changing youll have that feeling of happiness
as a more permanent feeling in your daily life.

religious involvement and physical

activity have a lasting effect on well-being is
that these involve frequent small boosts to
well-being, with a non-activity period
preceding each activityquite different from
the infrequent large changed provided by
major life eventsboosts might be small,
people who engage in these activities often
enough will end up with higher well-being.
Pg. 335

Again this thought of physical and religious

activity giving small boosts is true, however, I
think these type of small boosts if participated
in daily or frequently will cause people to
experience daily happiness rather than
waiting on a big life event to bring them
happiness. People learn to see happiness in
the small things rather than the big things.