Is Happiness Catching?
In a 20-year study of one town, a friend nearby becoming happy raised a person’s chance of happiness by about 25%. But similar methods also ‘spread’ acne and height, so it’s debated.
Source: Happiness in social networkslearn more at tribeofgiants.com
Growing evidenceThe research
- Fowler, J. H., & Christakis, N. A. (2008). Dynamic spread of happiness in a large social network: Longitudinal analysis over 20 years in the Framingham Heart Study. BMJ, 337, a2338.
- Cohen-Cole, E., & Fletcher, J. M. (2008). Detecting implausible social network effects in acne, height, and headaches: Longitudinal analysis. BMJ, 337, a2533.
Journey 11 · Nurture
Is Happiness Catching?
In a 20-year study of one town, a friend nearby becoming happy raised a person’s chance of happiness by about 25%. But similar methods also ‘spread’ acne and height, so it’s debated.
Source: Happiness in social networks · Growing evidence
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