Defining Happiness
STEP 2: After viewing this video about lessons from the longest study on happiness, ask yourself and write down your answers to the following questions.
How do I define happiness for myself? – Being content with myself and the things happening in my life
Do I consider myself a happy person right now? – No, not really. I feel that I have no control over what happens in my life
What do I need in my life in life in order to be happy? – Good support system, and self-love
Who are the people in my life who affect my happiness? – Family, partners, professors, bosses
Do you think you will feel the same when you turn 65? Why or why not? – No, I hope not. I hope to have my life figured out and be content with how my life turned out in the end
STEP 3: Talk to a grandparent or another relative or person you know who is at least 60 years old and ask them the following questions (attach a copy of these responses with your final paper).
Interviewee : Samual Green age 67
How do you define happiness for yourself? – Having a smile on my face and being with my grandchildren
Do you consider yourself a happy person right now?- Oh yes, I have amazing children and awesome grandchildren
What do you need in your life in life in order to be happy?- Family
Who are the people in your life who affect your happiness?- Family
Did you feel the same way when you were my age?- Yes, I was a happy young adult. I had good parents
What is the biggest difference between what you thought would make you happy when you were younger and what did make you happy as you got older? – When I was younger I thought happiness could only come from myself, now being an old man I realize you gain happiness from loving the people around you
STEP 4: Write a 2-3 page paper (500-800 words) that synthesizes and reflects upon the responses to these questions. As you write the paper, compare and contrast your own answers to the questions and those provided by the older person you interviewed. Were there similarities in your answers? What were some of the differences? Do you think happiness means something vastly different for younger vs. older people? Explain.
Follow APA protocols for writing an interview paper (see below). Reference your sources but do not include the last name of the person you interviewed to assure confidentiality.
Structure:
Last name, FI. (Year, Month date). Interview type [email, phone, personal interview], personal interview with [third party FI Last Name]
Example:
Smith, R. (2019, July 29). Personal interview.
The paper should be 12 point font with 1 inch margins.
