Money can’t buy you happiness, but it seems that it can determine what makes you happy, according to a new study.
Researchers found that those with less money find happiness in other people, through feelings of love and compassion.
But wealthy people find their own happiness in more self-involved traits, such as pride and contentment.
Researchers found that those with less money find happiness in other people, through feelings of love and compassion. But wealthy people like Kim Kardashian find their own happiness in more self-involved traits, such as pride and contentment
Research from the University of California, Irvine, surveyed 1,519 people (752 male, 767 female) from across the US.
The study did not measure ‘happiness’, and instead looked at what made people happy and compared that to household income.
The study compared the finances of individuals to how often they experience seven positive emotions: amusement, awe, compassion, contentment, enthusiasm, love, and pride.
Dr Paul Piff, lead author of the study, said: ‘Higher income has many benefits, including improved health and life satisfaction, but is it associated with greater happiness?’
The researchers found that ‘wealthier individuals may find greater positivity in their accomplishments, status and individual achievements, less wealthy individuals seem to find more positivity and happiness in their relationships, their ability to care for and connect with others,’ according to Dr Piff.
The seventh factor looked at was enthusiasm, where there was no noticeable difference between the categories of people.
It seems that passion is also immune to socio-economic barriers.
The reasons behind this fundamental difference, comes from a deeper place than just money, according to the researchers.
Researchers found that those with less money find happiness in other people, through feelings of love and compassion (stock image)
The affluent amongst us are fuelled by a desire to be self-sufficient and independent.
Limited cash-flow and the strain it puts on a person means that those who aren’t flush with excess cash need to form bonds with others to cope with a more threatening environment.
It does seem, however, that a sense of humour really helps keep the top earners smiling, as amusement was found to be another key source of their happiness.
Dr Piff added: ‘Wealth doesn’t guarantee you happiness, but it may predispose you to experiencing different forms of it.
‘For example, whether you delight in yourself versus in your friends and relationships.
‘These findings suggest that lower-income individuals have devised ways to cope, to find meaning, joy and happiness in their lives despite their relatively less favourable circumstances.’