How Your Phone Can Make You Happy

Researchers have shown that happiness is influenced by level of gratitude, a healthy amount of giving, and a more internal, rather than external, locus of control. Current mobile phone applications meant for increasing happiness provide generic tips on how to be happier, but are not tailored to each individual user. Our work centers on the premise that a mobile phone application can be more successful if it provides the user with recommendations based on his or her input. We are developing android and iOS mobile phone applications that will aid in increasing the user’s happiness. The core functionality of our mobile phone applications, which sets them apart from those already in existence, is based on a custom algorithm that incorporates the measurement of the three determinants for a user’s current level of happiness and makes suggestions of specific tasks the user could do to be happier. The algorithm is designed to output tasks that account for 27 unique happiness profiles, and also accounts for individual input, or preferences, such as whether or not the user will visit a store that day, will be at work, or is able to purchase a gift as a part of giving to others. These suggestions are provided on a daily basis, one per day, and change based on continuing user input