Researchers at University College London were able to create an equation that could accurately predict the happiness of over 18,000 people, according to a new study.
First, the researchers had 26 participants complete decisionmaking tasks in which their choices either led to monetary gains or losses. The researchers used fMRI imaging to measure their brain activity, and asked them repeatedly, “How happy are you now?” Based on the data the researchers gathered from the first experiment, they created a model that linked self-reported happiness to recent rewards and expectations.
The researchers were not surprised by how much rewards influenced happiness, but they were surprised by how much expectations could.
