Subjective well-being: the problem of analyzing population qualitative heterogeneity (part 1)

Abstract

The article discusses importance of the methodological problem of analyzing the qualitative heterogeneity of a set of objects in the process of sociological measuring of subjective well-being. It presents the results of an exploratory study aimed at testing a number of tools in procedures of reconstructing social types among the population as qualitatively homogeneous latent formations (according to the nature of subjective well-being). Taking as preconditions, the authors proceed from the existence of five group problems of a theoretical and methodological nature, the formulation and solution of which presumably contribute to developing a methodology for studying qualitative heterogeneity. This part of the article, first, substantiates the existence of a request for methodological reflecting the use of generalized indicators of subjective well-being (life satisfaction, personal happiness) in mass surveys, the importance of the transition to multidimensional models of measurement and analysis implemented within the conceptual framework of the typological method of social knowledge. Second, the complete set of particular indicators and the logic of their selection for typological analysis are offered (the results will be presented in the second part of the article). Third, the problem of studying the relationship between indicators of subjective well-being is raised from the perspective of forming the basis for the typology.