 |  | | | Happiness | Friday 1 August 2003 | | |
Scientists in the US have come up with a formula for happiness. Basically all you to do is work out the equation P (your personal outlook on life) plus five times E (your existence) plus three times H (your Higher order needs and self esteem) - at which point even Tigger may well have lost the will to live.
So what is happiness? The Institute for Public Policy Research is looking into the role parenthood plays in people's level of happiness. But is it more than just a state of mind and what part does gender play in dictating what factors result in happiness?
Journalist and former agony aunt Karen Krizanovich and Dylan Evans, research officer in Evolutionary Robotics at the University of Bath join Sheila to discuss whether different things make men and women happy.
Try the Happiness questionnaire
Happiness = P + (5xE) + (3xH)
Questions on which the equation is based
1. Are you outgoing, energetic, flexible and open to change? 2. Do you have a positive outlook, bounce back quickly from setbacks and feel that you are in control of your life? 3. Are your basic life needs met, in relation to personal health, finance, safety, freedom of choice and sense of community? 4. Can you call on the support of people close to you, immerse yourself in what you are doing, meet your expectations and engage in activities that give you a sense of purpose?
See below to work out your score
Working out the answer: The questions should be answered on a scale of one to ten, where one is "not at all" and ten is "to a large extent" Add the scores for question one and two together to find your P value. The score for question 3 is the value for E, and question 4 for H.
IPPR
Video Nation: Happiness
BBC News: Happiness protects against coldsDisclaimer
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