Finding Happiness: Internal and External Determinants of Subjective Well-Being

Thoughts, values, and beliefs are influenced by our own subjective sense of happiness. The desire to experience happiness and joy often motivates humans in their everyday interactions and long-term life decisions (Diener, 2000). Especially in an age of positive psychology and personal growth, the science of subjective well-being (SWB) is of great interest to many. These growing psychological movements focus on helping people enrich their own lives and personal happiness. SWB, the scientific measurement of happiness, is a person\u27s current assessment of his or her overall life satisfaction, satisfaction within important life domains, positive affect, and negative affect. Although the science of happiness is still far from perfect, the present essay seeks to understand the internal and external factors that contribute to SWB by compiling literature on individuals\u27 personality, gender, age, wealth, and social comparisons