Appelberg 1

Corinne Appelberg
Ms. Deby Jizi
UWRT-1102-009
3 February 2016

Double Entry Journal

Citation: Parfitt, Matthew. Pursuing Happiness: A Bedford Spotlight Reader. Place

of Publication Not Identified: Bedford Bks St Martin's, 2015. Print.

Source: Quote (Page# or Paragraph #)

Responses

As the income gap between rich and poor

widens daily, it makes sense to wonder
which economic group- the rich or the pooris the grater inheritor of happiness. (P.161,
paragraph 4)

There are many different contributions that

create a happy or unhappy person. This is
where the question, does money buy
happiness, comes into play.

Her life became a series of drinking and

shopping sprees that, ultimately, landed
Nicholson in financial dire straits. (Pg.165,
paragraph 1)

Obtaining extreme amounts of money can

destroy someone. Winning the lottery is a
good example of this. Lottery winners receive
so much money they do not know how to
control their spending habits.

What does the science say about the

average lottery winner? (Pg. 165,
paragraph 3)

Depending on the person, winning the lottery

can make someones life or break it. Some
use their money wisely, while others end up
going bankrupt.

Despite individual instances where money

seems to harm people, with data like the
happiness of multimillionaires and lottery
winners, as well as the life satisfaction
differences between rich and poor, why
would anyone doubt that money is on
average important to well-being? (Pg. 166,
paragraph 3)

Money is important to well-being. Without

money, it is possible to be happy with what
you have, but money does give you the ability
to buy the necessities you need in life.

Finally, we know that materialism can be

toxic to happiness. (Pg.166, paragraph 3)

I agree with this statement. The want for

material items can become a dangerous
factor to our level of happiness.

Appelberg 2
In short, this research indicates that,
overall, being extraordinary poor has a
negative influence on happiness, but that
some very poor individuals are, in fact,
somewhat satisfied, and even extremely
poor people are usually not depressed. (Pg.
167, paragraph 3)

I think that people that are not as fortunate do

not expect the luxury items and material items
that the more fortunate people do, resulting in
them being completely content with what they
are given.

There are factors that can cancel the

beneficial effects of money on happiness if
people are not careful. (Pg. 169, paragraph
1)

While people crave money, people can

destroy the beneficial effects of money when
they do not take into consideration the role
money plays in their life.

Being satisfied with your paycheck, just like

being satisfied with your life, is about your
point of view. (Pg. 169, paragraph 2)

Your point of view plays a huge role in what

contributes to your happiness.

What matters more is that your income is

sufficient for your desires. (Pg. 170,
paragraph 2)

When your desires are more than what your

income can afford, your happiness level can
be low. While those who have incomes that
are sufficient for their desires, their level of
happiness can be satisfied.

We can see the differences in aspirations

Different paths and desires will lead people in
lead to very different amounts of happiness. different directions of levels of happiness.
(Pg. 170, paragraph 3)
The lesson here is that no matter how
No matter the amount, people will continue to
much money you earn, you can always want desire materialistic items.
more, and feel poor along the way. (Pg.
171, paragraph 3)
No matter the income level, there is always
a more expensive car, house, vacation, jet,
or private island for which a person can
strive. (Pg. 173, paragraph 2)

The toxic effect of materialism comes into

play as people crave more and more luxury
items.