Hedonic Adaptation Research Articles

Is happiness independent of income? Set point theory à la Kahneman

AbstractThe income–happiness nexus is paradoxical. One dataset shows that happiness tracks income, while another shows that, in rich countries, happiness does not. This paper focuses on the limits of set point theory (known also ‘hedonic treadmill’ or ‘hedonic adaptation’) to solve the income–happiness paradox. To keep it manageable, it focuses on Daniel Kahneman's attempt to solve the paradox. He first employs his distinction between ‘the experiencing self’ and ‘the remembering self’ to solve the paradox. While the distinction is useful for the study of heuristics, it is irrelevant for the question at hand, the solution of the income–happiness paradox. Sensing such irrelevance, Kahneman turns his attention to the ‘life evaluation’ measure. This measure ironically shows that happiness tracks income. However, Kahneman disputes such tracking, arguing instead that happiness tracks income only if people, when they were teenagers, designate income as a life goal. The appeal to ‘goals’ or ‘life plans’, however, is an endorsement of a sophisticated version of set point theory. Kahneman argues that happiness varies with the variation of the designated goal or life plan, not with income per se. However, if happiness varies with the designated goals or life plans, it ultimately means that happiness cannot be conceived as a set point. Thus, Kahneman's argument effectively sends us back to square one, failing to solve the income–happiness paradox.

Alleviating hedonic adaptation in repeat consumption with creative thinking

Alleviating hedonic adaptation in repeat consumption with creative thinking

Sex differences in the social motivation of rats: Insights from social operant conditioning, behavioural economics, and video tracking

BackgroundSocial behaviour plays a key role in mental health and wellbeing, and developing greater understanding of mechanisms underlying social interaction—particularly social motivation—holds substantial transdiagnostic impact. Common rodent behavioural assays used to assess social behaviour are limited in their assessment of social motivation, whereas the social operant conditioning model can provide unique and valuable insights into social motivation. Further characterisation of common experimental parameters that may influence social motivation within the social operant model, as well as complementary methodological and analytical approaches, are warranted.MethodsThis study investigated the effects of biological sex, housing condition, and time-of-day, on social motivation using the social operant model. This involved training rats to lever press (FR1) for 60-s access to a social reward (same-sex conspecific stimulus). Subjects were male and female Wistar rats, housed under individual or paired conditions, and sessions were conducted either in the mid-late light phase (ZT6-10) or early-mid dark phase (ZT13-17). A behavioural economics approach was implemented to measure social demand and the influence of stimulus partner sex (same- vs. opposite-sex stimulus) on social operant responding. Additionally, video tracking analyses were conducted to assess the degree of convergence between social appetitive and consummatory behaviours.ResultsBiological sex, housing conditions, the interaction between sex and housing, and stimulus partner sex potently influenced social motivation, whereas time-of-day did not. Behavioural economics demonstrated that sex, housing, and their interaction influence both the hedonic set-point and elasticity of social demand. Video analysis of social interaction during social operant sessions revealed that social appetitive and consummatory behaviours are not necessarily convergent, and indicate potential social satiety. Lastly, oestrus phase of female experimental and stimulus rats did not impact social motivation within the model.ConclusionsSocial isolation-dependent sex differences exist in social motivation for rats, as assessed by social operant conditioning. The social operant model represents an optimal preclinical assay that comprehensively evaluates social motivation and offers a platform for future investigations of neurobiological mechanisms underlying sex differences in social motivation. These findings highlight the importance of continued consideration and inclusion of sex as a biological variable in future social operant conditioning studies.Plain English summaryHumans are social creatures—our everyday interactions with others and the support this provides play a key role in our wellbeing. For those experiencing mental health conditions, people’s motivation to engage with others can wane, which can lead them to withdraw from those who support them. Therefore, to develop better treatment strategies for these conditions, we need to gain a deeper understanding of social motivation. Studying social behaviour in animals can facilitate this investigation of social motivation as it allows for a causal understanding of underlying neurobiology that is not possible in human experiments. An optimal way to study social motivation in animals is using the social operant conditioning model, where rats learn to press a lever that opens a door and allows them to interact with another rat for a short time. This study characterised the social operant model by testing whether sex, housing conditions, time-of-day, and the sex of the stimulus partner influence rats’ motivation to seek interaction with another rat. We found that female rats were more socially motivated than males, and that rats living alone were more motivated than those living with another rat; interestingly, this effect of housing affected females more than males. Regardless of sex, rats were more motivated to interact with a rat of the opposite sex. These findings provide insights into sex differences in social motivation in rats and new insights into the social operant model which will help guide future research into social motivation and other mental health conditions.

The Role of Machine Learning Algorithms in Shaping the Hedonic Treadmill from the Perspective of Mental Accounting

The development of subscription-based video streaming services has transformed the way humans consume entertainment by granting users the freedom to watch any film, anytime, and anywhere. The presence of such services has become the biggest disruptor to conventional television stations, DVD producers, and even cinema services. Film consumption behaviors have undergone a shift triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic. Individuals have become accustomed to enjoying films from the comfort of their homes or their familiar surroundings, rather than having to travel far or purchase and store DVD discs. The streaming service business has skyrocketed and amassed a large number of subscribers. This reality indicates a change in the consumer decision-making patterns for video streaming services. Streaming services are perceived to provide more advantages or benefits compared to cost or sacrifices. In accounting studies, this phenomenon is referred to as mental accounting. Thus far, there have been few scientific studies attempting to address the topic of mental accounting in the video streaming service industry, particularly in relation to framing strategies and the creation of hedonic treadmills built from machine learning algorithms. This research aims to explain how successful video streaming service businesses create hedonic treadmill conditions for their customers, binding them to addiction. This study employs a qualitative method with an interpretative approach to video streaming services to design a conceptual model of how video streaming service businesses' machine learning algorithms create hedonic treadmills for their customers. The research findings indicate that machine learning algorithms can play a role in creating hedonic treadmills through the creation of five relevant values: compatibility, variability, originality, personalization, and flexibility through recommendation and prediction systems.

Running on the Hedonic Treadmill: A Dynamical Model of Happiness Based on an Approach–Avoidance Framework

Describing the dynamical nature of happiness is crucial for understanding why individuals are constantly running on a hedonic treadmill around set levels of well-being. Based on the self-centeredness branch of the ’self-centeredness/selflessness happiness model’, we present a dynamical model that focuses on unfolding the hedonic dimension of happiness dynamics through the use of the approach–avoidance framework. This numerical model enables us to understand and analyze emerging hedonic cycles caused by hedonic motivation and hedonic adaptation. In particular, hedonic motivation leads people to experience hedonic activities, which result in successes or failures and experiences of pleasure and afflictive affects; whereas hedonic adaptation causes individuals to return to a baseline level of pleasure and afflictive affects, more quickly for the former than the latter. The proposed dynamical model is based on the approach–avoidance framework that considers human behavior in two separate regulatory processes that contribute to homeostasis of individuals’ happiness. We analyze these two processes independently and conjointly in order to highlight their effect on happiness levels. The analysis shows how individual characteristics and their combination may result in hedonic cycles, afflictive affects, (dis-)pleasure, and particular happiness dynamics. We also discuss how such a numerical model enables us to perform a multifactorial analysis which is hardly feasible outside the context of a simulation and how it may help us to narrow and design relevant experimental surveys from these preliminary numerical results.

Deciphering the dynamics of human-environment interaction in China: Insights into renewable energy, sustainable consumption patterns, and carbon emissions

The increasing acknowledgment of the complex interplay between human actions and the natural world has generated a need to decipher human-environmental interdependence's ecological dynamics. The present research examines the intricate dynamics of the interplay between humans and the environment in China spanning 1975 to 2022. The results show that coal energy (i.e., -0.057, p < 0.050) and fossil fuel consumption (i.e., -0.766, p < 0.050) negatively affect renewable energy outcomes, highlighting the need for transitioning to cleaner energy sources. Conversely, energy use (0.006, p < 0.000), carbon pricing (0.480, p < 0.050), economic growth (0.0005, p < 0.050), and public awareness (0.040, p < 0.010) are positive drivers of renewable energy outcomes, suggesting the importance of policies promoting sustainable energy practices and raising environmental consciousness. Regarding sustainable consumption practices, materialistic practices (-0.0.004, p < 0.050), marketing strategies (-1.642, p < 0.000), and socioeconomic status (-2.026, p < 0.050) have adverse effects, while environmental awareness exhibits a positive influence. These findings underscore the significance of promoting environmentally conscious behavior and addressing societal factors that hinder sustainable consumption patterns. Furthermore, the study reveals that hedonic adaptation (0.036, p < 0.050) contributes to increased carbon emissions, indicating the need for strategies that mitigate the impact of changing living standards on the environment. Conversely, media penetration (-0.028, p < 0.010) and effective government communication are associated with decreased carbon emissions, underscoring the potential of media campaigns and informative communications to foster behavioral changes and encourage sustainable practices. Regulators may develop all-encompassing strategies to fight environmental damage and encourage a better tomorrow by providing incentives for using alternative energy sources, encouraging environmentally aware consumerism, and using the power of the press.

Exploring the emotions and decision-making of consumers for elective healthcare and hedonic adaptation

PurposeThe paper aims to empirically test a framework to predict the desire and intention to engage with an elective health-care procedure and implement a methodology to test the anticipated positive and negative emotions in hedonic adaptation to an elective procedure.Design/methodology/approachTwo studies in USA and Australia (N = 1,200) confirmed the psychometric properties of the key constructs under the chemical peel condition. Two further studies in the USA and Australia (N = 1,100) explored the research question and hypotheses in the adapted model of goal-directed behaviour under the Botox condition. A survey was self-administered to online panels who had previously engaged in such elective procedures.FindingsThe findings highlighted the pragmatic implications for communication and activation strategies to safeguard consumer interests and retain their loyalty.Originality/valueFrom the authors’ best understanding, neither a methodology nor a theoretical framework exists to explore hedonic adaptation to recurring engagement with elective health care. A methodology and theoretical framework will highlight the mood states and factors that predict desire and intention to engage. This can advance the research on hedonic adaptation and decision-making and offer pragmatic suggestions for communication and activation strategies to safeguard consumer interests and retain their loyalty.

Does variety in hedonic spending improve happiness? Testing alternative causal mechanisms between hedonic variety and subjective well-being

Previous research has found only a small, inconsistent association between hedonic consumption and subjective well-being, often attributed to individuals adapting to the happiness gains from their purchases. Given that diverse experiences can reduce or avert hedonic adaptation, we hypothesized that variety in hedonic spending would be associated with greater well-being. This hypothesis was tested in four studies (total N = 2,920), using both self-reported and objective bank-reported spending data. In our correlational analyses, hedonic spending variety was uniquely associated with well-being, even after controlling for total hedonic spending and other financial variables. Our investigation also explored the directional relationship between hedonic spending variety and well-being, yielding mixed results for both causal pathways in two time-lagged panel studies. Additionally, in two parallel experiments, participants reported that varied hedonic spending contributed more to happiness than uniform hedonic spending. These findings have implications for basic well-being science by testing how varied consumption behaviors and well-being are interrelated.

Why do people interact and buy in the Metaverse? Self-Expansion perspectives and the impact of hedonic adaptation

The metaverse, a virtual space where people can interact with each other, is garnering global attention. This study attempts to answer three questions: what attracts someone to the metaverse, why do consumers buy intangible virtual goods in it, and do participants purchase more virtual items as they visit it frequently? Drawing from self-expansion theory and the notion of hedonic adaptation, this study examined the effects of perceived interactivity on the purchase intention of virtual items in the metaverse, mediated by perceived self-expansion, and moderated by metaverse access frequency. Data were collected through a survey of 248 individuals with metaverse experience. The results indicated that participants’ perceived interactivity (i.e., playfulness and connectedness) strengthened their perception of expanded self, which in turn enhanced their purchase intentions toward virtual items. Furthermore, the metaverse access frequency was found to weaken the indirect effects of playfulness and connectedness on purchase intention through self-expansion.

The Effect of Death Anxiety on Hedonistic and Utilitarian Consumer Behaviours During the Covid-19 Pandemic

The aim of the research is to determine how the death anxiety felt by individuals during the Covid-19 process affects hedonic consumption and utilitarian consumption.. The original aspect of this research is that it covers the period of the Covid-19 epidemic processively and includes psychology,socioalology,religion and marketing of sciences. Death anxiety, which has been widely reported to have an effect on consumer behavior in the literature, has generally been interpreted later or examined retrospectively in disaster studies. This research was carried out during the Covid-19 pandemic process. Although there are many studies in the literature affecting utilitarian and hedonic consumption, it is thought that its contribution to the literature is to focus on the effect of death anxiety. E-survey with Google forms was used as the research method. Three different measurement tools were used for the data, namely “Hedonistic Consumption Scale”, “Utilitarian Consumption Scale”, and “Death Anxiety Scale” with demographic variables. In the research, an electronic questionnaire was applied to 403 people in the 18-64 age group residing in Istanbul using the "Snowball Sampling Method" and the data obtained were analyzed and interpreted with licensed SPSS 24 and AMOS 27 statistical programs. According to the results of the structural equation modeling used in the research, the 1st dimension of death anxiety affects (Uncertainty of Death) the 5 dimensions of hedonic consumption( hedonic effect, hedonic adaptation, passiveness, impulsive tendency and the reflection of identity) negatively, and the 2nd dimension affects(Thinking of and Witnessing Death) the 5 dimensions of hedonic consumption (hedonic effect, hedonic adaptation, passiveness, impulsive tendency and the reflection of identity) in a positive way. On the other hand, while the 1st dimension of death anxiety (Uncertainty of Death) is ineffective in 2 dimensions of utilitarian consumption(goal orientation and control orientation), the 2nd dimension( Thinking of and Witnessing Death) negatively affects 2 dimensions of utilitarian consumption (goal orientation and control orientation).

Hedonic Treadmill Analysis According to Hamka's Perspective in Tafsir Al-Azhar

Hedonic Treadmill Analysis According to Hamka's Perspective in Tafsir Al-Azhar

Age differences in hedonic adaptation to societal restrictions? Positive and negative affect trajectories during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 33 nations.

We examined age group differences in hedonic adaptation trajectories of positive and negative affect (PA/NA) at different arousal levels during the severe societal restrictions that governments implemented to contain the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (March to June 2020). Data from 10,509 participants from 33 countries and 12 weekly assessments were used (67% women, aged 18 to 85 +, on average 318 participants per country (SD = 434) and 5.6 assessments (SD = 2.5) per participant). Multilevel models (level 1: assessments, level 2: participants, level 3: countries) were fit to examine trajectories of low to high arousal PA and NA during the phase of tightening societal restrictions, the phase of stable peak restrictions, and the phase of easing restrictions separately. During the entire study period mean levels of PA were lower in emerging and young adults (aged 18-44) than older adults, whereas mean NA levels were higher. During peak societal restrictions, participants reported increasingly more PA, especially high-arousal emotions (d = .36 per month vs. .19 unaroused). NA levels decreased over time, especially high-arousal emotions (d = .35 vs. .14 p/month). These hedonic adaptation trajectories were largely similar across age groups. Nevertheless, up to 30% of the participants increased in NA and up to 6% decreased in PA, against the general trend, demonstrating substantial individual differences in emotional adaptation. Finally, heterogeneity in the effects of time on affect was larger on the individual level than the country level. Emotional recovery trajectories during the first lockdown in the COVID-19 pandemic were virtually similar across age groups in 33 countries, across valence and arousal levels, suggesting age advantages in emotional well-being remain restricted to mean-level differences rather than emotion dynamics. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

A world of difference: The fundamental opposition between transhumanist "welfarism" and disability advocacy.

From the standpoint of disability advocacy, further exploration of the concept of well-being stands to be availing. The notion that "welfarism" about disability, which Julian Savulescu and Guy Kahane debuted, qualifies as helpful is encouraged by their claim that welfarism shares important commitments with that advocacy. As becomes clear when they apply their welfarist frame to procreative decisions, endorsing welfarism would, in fact, sharply undermine it. Savulescu and Kahane's Principle of Procreative Beneficence-which reflects transhumanism, or advocacy of radical bioenhancement-morally requires parents to choose the child who will, in all probability, have "the best life." Assuming the emergence of potent biotechnologies, procreative decision-making would be highly standardized, for prospective parents would be morally obliged to maximize select capacities, including intelligence, self-control, and hedonic set-point, in their children. Welfarism, applied to reproduction, is staunchly objectivist about what course is incumbent on decision-makers, giving no credence to first-personal values, aspirations, and experiences. Though this dismissal of individual perspectives applies to everyone, its implications for disability advocacy are especially severe. With that advocacy in view, greater attention to "well-being" should, therefore, be severed from the welfarism of Savulescu and Kahane.

Tirani Kebahagiaan dan Media Sosial: Sebuah Kajian Media dan Politik

Social media content has taken up a lot of our attention, a lot of time and energy is spent either creating content or just exploring it. This of course does not only have a positive impact on us, on the other side of the pendulum there are 'mines' ready to blow up anyone who is not aware of the negative effects. This paper attempts to provide an overview of the hidden agendas of social media that are consciously or unconsciously realized by its users, where the hedonic treadmill concept is used as the main analysis knife. This article is qualitative by using impressions on YouTube as the object of writing. Shows that are used as the object of analysis include: 1) Why Social Media Is Toxic for Teen Mental Health | Fault Lines Documentary; 2) Teens, Social Media, and Technology (Full Documentary; 3) The Instagram Effect 2022 Documentary. The author finds that social media has great potential to encourage a continuous search for happiness as evidenced by the acquisition of as many like-view-shares as possible. In addition, the next finding is that social media makes a major contribution to the formation of a negative image of the body and mental disorders that lead to suicide. The ultimate terminal is the utilization of algorithms to generate more profit for social media.&#x0D;

Austerity in Mohist ethics

Abstract Fraser highlights an unattractive feature of Mohist ethics: the Mohists, while criticizing their Confucian contemporaries, restrict one’s pursuits to the most basic sorts of goods. Fraser suggests that the Mohists assume the perpetuity of scarce resources, which leads to a commitment to austerity, which in turn leads them to deny a plausible third way between austerity and excess. In their defence, I argue that the Mohists do not assume perpetuity of scarce resources but rather the hedonic treadmill. And instead of begging the question by assuming austerity and then denying a moderate alternative to excess, the Mohists take the hedonic treadmill to preclude a principled stopgap between austerity and excess, leaving austerity as the only acceptable option. Finally, these dynamics illuminate a feature that should make us wary of parallels to Millian utilitarianism: the maximization principle of the latter is absent from Mohism, and this goes hand-in-hand with austerity.

Adaptive utility

This paper models the real-time adaptation of utility when individuals have a limited capacity to make fine distinctions. A simple adaptive mechanism is proposed that adapts utility to an arbitrary distribution of rewards in a way that is ultimately optimal, in terms of minimizing the probability of errors. A modified simple mechanism is approximately optimal in terms of maximizing expected utility. The model generates the so-called “hedonic treadmill” and induces a preference for rising consumption.

Hedonic adaptation to preferential treatment: the moderating effect of the structural characteristics of loyalty programs

PurposeAs internet dividends are gradually disappearing, loyalty programs have become the panacea for monetizing traffic, attracting new customers and retaining existing customers. Improving their effectiveness has thus become key to enterprises’ market competitiveness. However, member customers’ hedonic adaptation to this relationship strategy undermines its effectiveness. Based on the hedonic adaptation theory, this study aims to analyze the process of member customers' hedonic adaptation to preferential treatment in loyalty programs and explore the boundary conditions of alleviating this effect.Design/methodology/approachThis study surveyed 271 member customers in China and tested the hypothesized relationships using structural equation modeling and multigroup analysis.FindingsPreferential treatment suffers from hedonic adaptation to member customer engagement and customer gratitude, and customer tenure is a key condition for these effects. Customer gratitude is an intermediary mechanism that explains the hedonic adaptation effect of preferential treatment to member customers engagement. In addition, the structural characteristics of loyalty programs form the boundary condition that alleviates hedonic adaptation. The authors found that high-tier and -payment strategies are more likely to mitigate hedonic adaptation of preferential treatment to customer gratitude.Originality/valueThis study elucidates the factors that influence the effectiveness of preferential treatment and provides constructive insights into customer relationship management and for improving enterprise performance.

Pandemide Değişen Mutluluk Algısı ile Duygu Düzenleme Becerileri

In the present study, the purpose was to determine the happiness perceptions of the students who returned to school after the Covid-19 pandemic prohibitions from the beginning of the semester to the end of the semester, to examine their adaptations in the process, and to examine whether the emotion regulation skills of the students affected the hedonic adaptation situation. The study was conducted in the mixed model, Convergent Parallel Design, in the case study design in the qualitative dimension, and descriptive research design in the quantitative dimension. The study group, which was determined with the Snowball Sampling Method, consisted of 24 students. The Emotion Regulation Skills Scale and Interview Form were used as the data collection tools. The results of the study show that emotion regulation skills have a positive effect on the hedonic adaptations of students and positively affect their perceived happiness levels.

Mindfulness Based-Asset in Accounting: Interdisciplinary Perspective

This study aims to construct the concept of assets using a revised-hedonic treadmill theory approach. By using postmodernism paradigm with constructionism approach in case study design, this research tries to integrate concept of asset in accounting with hedonic treadmill theory to construct a new concept of asset. Empirical data obtained through in-depth interviews with 21 bank employees with various grade positions and working period which were grouped into Assistant (ASST), Assistant Manager (AMGR), Manager (MGR), Assistant Vice President (AVP), and Vice President (VP) in Indonesia. The data were analyzed using the framework of a revised-hedonic treadmill premises as an analytical tool.The result of this research is a mindfulness concept of asset which includes asset as want, asset as need, and asset as blessing. The variation meaning of assets are formed due to events, experiences, or incident both physically and spiritually which ultimately make humans adapt to form self-awareness. They contemplate and finally make their own choices of happiness. At that point, humans are truly at a turning point without going through the assessment of mind. Only a sense of divinity on their heart. Because basically having assets is a mandate entrusted by God to humans so that assets are not the ultimate goal of the pursuit of happiness, but having sufficient and blessings asset will bring people to a sense of peace and gratitude. In essence, humans will seek happiness towards the meaning of life. The mindfulness concept of asset is expected to change the mindset of most people that assets are accumulated not for want but need and blessing. Having sufficient assets are a way to achieve God's blessing and bring humans to the meaning of life that leads to true happiness.

Pola Hedonic Treadmill dalam Perilaku Akuntansi

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the hedonic treadmill pattern in behavioral accounting in the millennial generation of shopee users. This study emphasizes the concept of behavioral accounting that is implemented in social phenomena in economic decision making based on the hedonic treadmill pattern.Method: This study uses a qualitative descriptive method with a case study approach. The data were obtained by conducting interviews with key informants. Data analysis techniques in this study were data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion/verification.Results: The results of the study show that there are four styles in making buying decisions in the millennial generation, namely the director's style, analytic style, conceptual style, and attitude style. In addition, the millennial generation is also driven by hedonic shopping motivation. From the empirical results, it was found that decision making is not only based on economic decisions alone. The non-economic impulses that form the hedonic treadmill pattern contribute to the behavioral accounting concept which is driven by psychological considerations in decision making.Implications: The implication of this research is a new paradigm in the wider context of accounting theory, especially behavioral accounting where rational and irrational thinking can influence a person's decision making.Novelty: Research tries to see accounting from another perspective to answer social phenomena. By integrating accounting theory and psychology as analytical tool, this research can explain this social phenomenon.