What is impact bias?
When it comes to happiness, research has found that many people fall prey to what is known as the impact bias: the tendency for people to overestimate the initial impact and/ or duration of an emotional event (Gilbert, Driver-Linn, & Wilson, 2002). Simply put, this means that many people believe that certain future events, like buying a new car or house, getting married, or passing an exam, will make them happier than is the case.
These events may provide some increased level of happiness, but the duration and intensity are far less than often expected. A possible reason for this is that we quickly adapt to new situations.
- Take a moment to reflect on any event and situations that would make you happy, like buying a nicer car, buying your own home, saving enough money, getting married, and others. Write down what these happy making events and situations might be.
- Then think about the moments in the past that made you happy. For example, your graduation day, getting a promotion at work, buying your first car, and the like. Were you finally happy when you achieved these moments? Write down some reflections on these moments and your happiness during those times.
- Now reflect on events of the past that contributed significantly to your happiness. Write down the events that come to your mind.
- What kind of conclusions can you draw about the real sources of your happiness?
Is the grass always greener on the other side of the fence?
Thinking about happiness as a way of life, rather than a moment in time, can give us the false perspective that we need to chase happiness.
People seek happiness in their lives but should appreciate and cherish the moments in life that did and will bring them happiness. For example, people may believe that if they had more money, they would be happier, or they would be happier if someone loved them or if their circumstances changed.
During the next week or so, slowly become aware of the tendency to believe that happiness lies somewhere in the future.
- What exactly are the promises that the thoughts about the future hold?
- What does it feel like to believe that a future event will cause happiness?
