DYNAMIC OPTIMISM: Study shows money increases happiness

From: Harvey Newstrom (mail@HarveyNewstrom.com)
Date: Thu Jan 10 2002 - 08:06:18 MST


J. R. Molloy wrote,
> From: "Mike Lorrey" <mlorrey@datamann.com>
> > Not to mention Hal's claim is false. Just heard on the radio today of a
> > British study of the impact of wealth on health and happiness, which
> > found that increased wealth correlated directly with an increase in
> > mental health and happiness/self esteem.

> Yep, you got it right again, Mike.
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/health/newsid_1750000/1750337.stm

I agree with the basic premise: If I won the lottery, I would be much
happier!

But I'm always suspicious when a study finds a "correlation" and then jumps
to an assumed "cause and effect". I would argue that money does not cause
happiness, better mental health, and better self-esteem. I strongly believe
that the exact opposite is true.

Mentally stable people are more capable of success.
Happy people are more likely to keep trying.
People with strong self-esteem are more likely get their ideas accepted.

"People make money. Money does not make people."

--
Harvey Newstrom, CISSP <www.HarveyNewstrom.com>
Principal Security Consultant, Newstaff Inc. <www.Newstaff.com>
Board of Directors, Extropy Institute <www.Extropy.org>
Cofounder, Pro-Act <www.ProgressAction.org>


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