877.1
Why Sociological Theory of Happiness Falls Short
Why Sociological Theory of Happiness Falls Short
Tuesday, July 15, 2014: 8:30 AM
Room: Booth 53
Oral Presentation
Why sociological theory of happiness falls short
Happiness in the sense of life satisfaction is a psychological phenomenon in the first place. Consequently most sociological explanations draw on psychological theory, often implicitly and with little view on its limitations. A dominant perspective in sociology is that happiness results from comparison between perceptions of life-as-it-is and standard of how-life-should-be, which view fits with the notion that happiness is a social construct and as such culturally variable. Explanations in terms of universal affective appraisals and needs are marginal in sociology, as is wider biological sociology.
Happiness in the sense of life satisfaction is a psychological phenomenon in the first place. Consequently most sociological explanations draw on psychological theory, often implicitly and with little view on its limitations. A dominant perspective in sociology is that happiness results from comparison between perceptions of life-as-it-is and standard of how-life-should-be, which view fits with the notion that happiness is a social construct and as such culturally variable. Explanations in terms of universal affective appraisals and needs are marginal in sociology, as is wider biological sociology.
Though not suited for explaining happiness as such, sociological theory is apt for explaining conditions for happiness, societal conditions in particular. Empirical research shows that conditions for happiness are quite good in modern society, where its inhabitants live now longer and happier than ever in human history. Yet most sociological theorizing is about the miseries of modern society.
Some sociological explanations for this sociological short-sightedness are discussed.