Our perceptions of happiness are shaped by cognitive biases from "summary" of Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert
Our brains are powerful organs that constantly work to make sense of the world around us. One way they do this is by relying on cognitive biases, which are mental shortcuts that help us process information quickly and efficiently. However, these biases can also lead us astray when it comes to understanding our own happiness. One such bias is known as the "impact bias," which refers to our tendency to overestimate the emotional impact of future events. When we imagine how we will feel in a particular situation, we often focus on the most salient details and ignore other factors that may influence our emotions. This can lead us to make inaccurate predictions about how happy or unhappy we will be in the future. Another common bias is the "immune neglect," which refers to our tendency to underestimate our own resilience in the face of adversity. When we imagine experiencing a negative event, such as a breakup or job loss, we often fail to take into account our psychological immune system, which helps us bounce back from difficult situations. As a result, we may believe that we will be much less happy than we actually are when faced with adversity. In addition to these biases, our perceptions of happiness are also shaped by social comparison. We often compare ourselves to others to gauge our own happiness, but this comparison can be misleading. We may believe that we need to achieve certain milestones or possess certain possessions in order to be happy, when in reality, happiness is a much more complex and personal experience.- Our perceptions of happiness are influenced by a variety of cognitive biases that can lead us to make inaccurate predictions about our own well-being. By becoming aware of these biases and challenging our assumptions about happiness, we can gain a more realistic understanding of what truly makes us happy.
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