Hermans, H., & Meijers, F. (2019). The pursuit of happiness.

British
Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 47(2), 139-142

The Pursuit of Happiness

 The research article taken from the British Journal of Guidance & Counseling reviews the
various theories, methods and empirical work put into the research of happiness (or
subjective well-being and how to enhance one's well being).

 The introduction starts with the distinction of characteristics of what makes happy people
in terms of their increased health status, and positive outlook in life. Happy people also
tend to have increased life longevity.

 Goal Focused Positive Psychotherapy (GFPP) is a newly emerging psychotherapy derived

from studies in positive and social psychology. GFPP is focused on enhancing the well-being
of an individual by working on their client’s strengths and goals.

 Lyubomirsky, Sheldon et al. (2009) provide the 3 major determinants of an individual’s

happiness (genetic set point-50%; life circumstances-10% and intentional activity-40%
effect on happiness) Intentional activity