The Self: Belonging, Understanding, Controlling, Enhancing Self

The Self
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The Self
Question 1
Of the five core social motives, I think “trusting others” best explains the surprising science of happiness as discussed in the TED talk video podcast by Dr. Dan Gilbert. According to Fiske (2010), perceiving the world as a benevolent place allows people to participate in many activities in group settings without any vigilance or suspicion. Fiske (2010) goes on to point out that people’s view of the world a benevolent place is well manifested when their lives are devastated by trauma brought about by other people. In this situation, although one may be surrounded by traumatic news reports, one assumes that other people are kind, caring, and helpful. Fiske (2010) also notes that “people are motivated to restore their sense that the world is trustworthy” (p25). I think trusting best explains the science of happiness as discussed by Dr. Gilbert in that people are able to attain happiness even after a bad experience.
In the video podcast, Dr. Gilbert explains to the viewer that synthetic happiness is just as real as natural happiness. This way, he denounces the societal belief that synthetic happiness is inferior to natural happiness. Dr. Gilbert notes that when one is stuck or trapped, this is the time the psychological immune system works well. Synthetic happiness, according to him, thrives when we do not have the freedom to choose. I think trusting others best explains the discussion in that when we trust, our choice is limited. In this sense, with limited freedom, we are able to achieve happiness because we trust what we already have with us. As shown in the discussion by Dr. Gilbert, we are more satisfied with our choices if we do not have the chance to change it later. In the same way, when we trust other people, without having to decide later whether to trust them or not, we are happier. Dr. Gilbert also explains in the video podcast that losing or winning have less impact on one’s happiness. Similarly, as mentioned above, even after experiencing trauma caused by people, one still considers the world as a benevolent place. In both cases, a bad experience does not have a significant influence on our happiness. Therefore, I consider trusting others to best explain the science of happiness as explained by Dr. Gilbert.
Question 2
After computing my scores on state s...