What Do You Think Would Make You Happier? What Do You Think You Would Choose? Journal Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Would people choose what they think would maximize their subjective well-being (SWB)? We present survey respondents with hypothetical scenarios and elicit both choice and predicted SWB rankings of two alternatives. While choice and predicted SWB rankings usually coincide in our data, we find systematic reversals. We identify factors—such as predicted sense of purpose, control over one's life, family happiness, and social status—that help explain hypothetical choice controlling for predicted SWB. We explore how our findings vary by SWB measure and by scenario. Our results have implications regarding the use of SWB survey questions as a proxy for utility. (JEL D03, I31)

publication date

  • August 1, 2012

has restriction

  • green

Date in CU Experts

  • March 12, 2017 2:10 AM

Full Author List

  • Benjamin DJ; Heffetz O; Kimball MS; Rees-Jones A

author count

  • 4

Other Profiles

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0002-8282

Additional Document Info

start page

  • 2083

end page

  • 2110

volume

  • 102

issue

  • 5