AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION21
ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITY 1.2
Happiness Index
Concep
Beginning in 2011, the United Nations has recognized happiness as a component of global well-being, publishing the results in the first
Happiness Report in 2012. Students will investigate the six variables used to measure happiness, determine the strengths and limitations of
the World Happiness Index, and consider variables for well-being in their own lives.
Unis i could embed ino
Social psychology, psychology of emotions, research methods
earning arges
1. Examine the six variables used by the United Nations to measure a country’s happiness.
2. Analyze the validity and reliability used to measure happiness.
3. Look at international differences in happiness and determine the happiness strengths and limitations in your country.
aerials
Handout 1.2, Internet access for research
ime
20-30 minutes; however, this activity could prompt excellent conversation and may extend beyond that time.
Insrucions
• Students may work on this activity independently, but a group effort would offer better conversation and analysis.
• Provide students access to the Handout 1.2. Invite students to consider how to measure the well-being of a nation. It may be beneficial to
have a conversation about other factors that are used to rank how well a country is doing in comparison to others- gross national product
(GNP), happy planet index (HPI), etc. For more information about these measures, review Andester’s article on “GDP Alternatives: 7 Ways
to Measure a Country’s Wealth” on Ethical.net (2019).
• Students will review the “Statistical Appendix for Chapter 2 of the World Happiness Report 2020” (Helliwell et al., 2020). Then they will
identify and describe the tools used to measure the six variables used to determine a country’s ranking in the Happiness Index.
• Students will analyze the top 20 happiest counties for the year 2020.
• In step 4 on the handout, students will look at the variables for the index and examine the role these variables play in their own lives. After
students answer the questions on the handout, encourage a group or class discussion.
ension aciiies
• In groups or individually, students research a country on the 20 happiest countries list and report on the norms of the society that lead to a
higher happiness score.
• In groups or individually, students analyze Hofstede’s cultural dimensions (2011). Examine the intersection of the cultural dimensions and the
variables used for the happiness index. Students can write an essay on the similarities, differences, strengths, and limitations for the descriptors.
eerences
Andester, N. (2019, June 10). GDP Alternatives: 7 Ways to Measure a Country’s Wealth. Ethical.net. https://ethical.net/politics/gdp-alternatives-7-ways-to-measure-
countries-wealth/
Helliwell, J.F., Huang, H., Wang, S. & Norton, M.( 2020) Statistical Appendix for Chapter 2 of the World Happiness Report 2020. https://happiness-report.s3.amazonaws.
com/2020/WHR20_Ch2_Statistical_Appendix.pdf
Hofstede, G. (2011). Dimensionalizing Cultures: The Hofstede Model in Context. Online Readings in Psychology and Culture, Unit 2. http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/orpc/
vol2/iss1/8
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From a TOPSS unit lesson plan on Positive Psychology, published by APA in
2022. This activity is intended for teachers for use in their classes. Any further use
requires additional APA permission.
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION22
ACTIVITIES
HANDOUT 1.2
The Happiness Index
“The pursuit of happiness” - U.S. Constitution
earning arges
1. Examine the six variables used by the United Nations to measure a country’s happiness.
2. Analyze the validity and reliability used to measure happiness.
3. Look at international differences in happiness and determine the happiness strengths and limitations in your country.
Step 1: You might remember from civics classes that countries may use their GNP (gross national product) to determine their total financial
value and to measure how well a nation is doing. The United Nations wanted to consider another metric- the well-being of a nation. How
would you measure a country’s happiness? Think about what variables you might measure and the methods you would use to gather your data.
Record some of your ideas below.
Since 2011, the United Nations has invited countries to participate in gathering data in an effort to measure national happiness. The World
Happiness Index measures well-being through six variables: money (spending power), health and life expectancy, social support (having
someone to count on), freedom to make life choices, freedom from corruption, and generosity. As students of psychology, let’s analyze these
variables, determine if they are good qualifiers for happiness, and consider variables for happiness in your own life.
Step 2: Look over the “Statistical Appendix for Chapter 2 of the World Happiness Report 2020.” Section 1 of the appendix explains how the six
variables of well-being are measured. Identify and describe the tools used to measure the six variables used to determine a country’s ranking
in the Happiness Index.
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AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION23
ACTIVITIES
Social suppor
reedom o mae lie decisions
reedom rom corrupion
enerosi
Step 3: Using the World Happiness website, review the top 20 happiest counties for the year 2020 and answer the following questions.
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AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION24
ACTIVITIES
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