Princeton and the Pursuit of Happiness

Abstract

The present study seeks to replicate and extend the research of Diener and Seligman (2002) which explored personality and behavioral correlates of high happiness in undergraduate college students. While the original study found that factors such as strong social ties and high levels of extraversion and agreeableness tended to lend themselves to high happiness, the current study found that in the Princeton context, other variables such as high levels of conscientiousness and adequate sleep appeared to be more relevant in terms of the closeness of their correlation with high happiness. While it does appear clear that a confluence of different factors make up the preconditions for high happiness, further research is certainly necessary to determine which variables are truly universal rather than circumstantial in their close relationship with high levels of well-being and contentment. Moreover, the present study provides evidence supporting the idea that certain personality traits are rewarded differently in different contexts, potentially impacting one's well-being and evaluation of their own life.