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Journal of Happiness Studies

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06-01-2017 | Research Paper

What Does “Happiness” Prompt in Your Mind? Culture, Word Choice, and Experienced Happiness

Authors: Ji-eun Shin, Eunkook M. Suh, Kimin Eom, Heejung S. Kim

Published in: Journal of Happiness Studies | Issue 3/2018

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Abstract

What three words come to your mind in association with “happiness”? We analyzed the 1563 words reported by 521 Korean and American participants in this free association task. The most frequently endorsed word was “family” in Korea, whereas the most popular word among Americans was “smile.” The overall frequency of social words (e.g., relationships, social emotions) reported by Koreans was higher, and the most often mentioned relationship type differed between the two groups (family in Korea; friend in the US). Nonetheless, both in Korea and the US, individuals who mentioned more social words were significantly more satisfied with their lives. The amount of social support provision mediated the link between the number of reported social words and experienced happiness. Regardless of culture, a simple count of social words associated with happiness appears to offer a reasonably good clue for how happy the person actually is.

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Title: What Does “Happiness” Prompt in Your Mind? Culture, Word Choice, and Experienced Happiness
Authors: Ji-eun Shin
Eunkook M. Suh
Kimin Eom
Heejung S. Kim
Publication date: 06-01-2017
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Published in: Journal of Happiness Studies / Issue 3/2018
Print ISSN: 1389-4978
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7780
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-016-9836-8

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