a literary perspective...
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siuyuin
Nov 6, 2010, 11:06:49 PM11/6/10
to Happiness
From Chapter 6 of Virginia Woolf's "A room of one's own"
http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/w/woolf/virginia/w91r/chapter6.html
"Clearly the mind is always altering its focus, and bringing the world
into different perspectives. But some of these states of mind seem,
even if adopted spontaneously, to be less comfortable than others. In
order to keep oneself continuing in them one is unconsciously holding
something back, and gradually the repression becomes an effort. But
there may be some state of mind in which one could continue without
effort because nothing is required to be held back. And this perhaps,
I thought, coming in from the window, is one of them. For certainly
when I saw the couple get into the taxicab the mind felt as if, after
being divided, it had come together again in a natural fusion. The
obvious reason would be that it is natural for the sexes to co-
operate. One has a profound, if irrational, instinct in favour of the
theory that the union of man and woman makes for the greatest
satisfaction, the most complete happiness. But the sight of the two
people getting into the taxi and the satisfaction it gave me made me
also ask whether there are two sexes in the mind corresponding to the
two sexes in the body, and whether they also require to be united in
order to get complete satisfaction and happiness? And I went on
amateurishly to sketch a plan of the soul so that in each of us two
powers preside, one male, one female; and in the man’s brain the man
predominates over the woman, and in the woman’s brain the woman
predominates over the man. The normal and comfortable state of being
is that when the two live in harmony together, spiritually co-
operating. If one is a man, still the woman part of his brain must
have effect; and a woman also must have intercourse with the man in
her. Coleridge perhaps meant this when he said that a great mind is
androgynous. It is when this fusion takes place that the mind is fully
fertilized and uses all its faculties. Perhaps a mind that is purely
masculine cannot create, any more than a mind that is purely feminine,
I thought. But it would he well to test what one meant by manwomanly,
and conversely by woman-manly, by pausing and looking at a book or
two."
Ansel Pembroke
Nov 7, 2010, 7:10:05 PM11/7/10
to Happiness
Just to be a complete dampener, as Siu Yuin should know about me,
consider the last para of the paper. Self report without measuring
physiological, such as cheek swab for cortisol (stress) etc, not much
good. You need some independent corroboration. I did not see any
correlation of the MMPI scores with the subjects, but MMPI can detect
tendencies to want to project a good image. MMPI is useful for
extremes in behaviour such as those with schizophrenic tendencies etc.
not sure about self deceived 19-25 years olds. Truthfulness? not sure.
Also, since the group here are undergrads, i have some doubts about
generalising across population esp once people get older. I have some
misgiving if random effects analysis can apply here. Morevover, the
students are probably from Florida state university as 3 authors are.
Florida ain't New York.
Anyway, at 19-25 you are healthy. Measures such as getting colds etc
is a far cry from real health like hypertension, diabetes etc. I also
administer questions to students, and almost without exception, they
are very satisfied with their health. BUT i also do elderly, and that
is where the picture changes. The healthy are happy, but they are a
self selected highly motivated elderly who volunteer for experiments.
Studies like this suffer from the same technical challenge such as
"religious people live longer" etc etc. The paper is useful for all
the references though.
This study suffers from certain limitations, including the exclusive
use of
self-report measures. Common method variance is thus an issue to be
consid-
ered when interpreting our findings. At the same time, it is important
to
emphasize that common method variance cannot explain why some results
emerged, whereas others did not (e.g., PA predicted good health, but
NA did
not predict poor health). Furthermore, our limited sample of
undergraduate
students does not adequately address the issue of external validity,
as our
findings may not generalize to other age cohorts or highly illness-
prone popu-
lations. Finally, it should also be noted that the SIRS did not
measure actual
health conditions, but rather self-reported health symptoms. The
restricted
conclusions that can be drawn from self-report data highlight the need
for
physiological measurements of health symptoms (e.g., NK cells,
cortisol lev-
els, and heart rate variability) in studies of the relationship
between psycho-
logical factors and physiological well-being. Furthermore, objective
health
outcomes such as the frequency of hospital visits and the severity of
com-
plaints may provide a more accurate assessment of health. We encourage
future research to address these limitations as well as to empirically
evaluate
some of the potential clinical implications of our work.
On Nov 7, 11:54 am, Chu Keong Lee <asck...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Happy ---> Healthy?
>
> Happy - Healthy.pdf
> 89KViewDownload
consider the last para of the paper. Self report without measuring
physiological, such as cheek swab for cortisol (stress) etc, not much
good. You need some independent corroboration. I did not see any
correlation of the MMPI scores with the subjects, but MMPI can detect
tendencies to want to project a good image. MMPI is useful for
extremes in behaviour such as those with schizophrenic tendencies etc.
not sure about self deceived 19-25 years olds. Truthfulness? not sure.
Also, since the group here are undergrads, i have some doubts about
generalising across population esp once people get older. I have some
misgiving if random effects analysis can apply here. Morevover, the
students are probably from Florida state university as 3 authors are.
Florida ain't New York.
Anyway, at 19-25 you are healthy. Measures such as getting colds etc
is a far cry from real health like hypertension, diabetes etc. I also
administer questions to students, and almost without exception, they
are very satisfied with their health. BUT i also do elderly, and that
is where the picture changes. The healthy are happy, but they are a
self selected highly motivated elderly who volunteer for experiments.
Studies like this suffer from the same technical challenge such as
"religious people live longer" etc etc. The paper is useful for all
the references though.
This study suffers from certain limitations, including the exclusive
use of
self-report measures. Common method variance is thus an issue to be
consid-
ered when interpreting our findings. At the same time, it is important
to
emphasize that common method variance cannot explain why some results
emerged, whereas others did not (e.g., PA predicted good health, but
NA did
not predict poor health). Furthermore, our limited sample of
undergraduate
students does not adequately address the issue of external validity,
as our
findings may not generalize to other age cohorts or highly illness-
prone popu-
lations. Finally, it should also be noted that the SIRS did not
measure actual
health conditions, but rather self-reported health symptoms. The
restricted
conclusions that can be drawn from self-report data highlight the need
for
physiological measurements of health symptoms (e.g., NK cells,
cortisol lev-
els, and heart rate variability) in studies of the relationship
between psycho-
logical factors and physiological well-being. Furthermore, objective
health
outcomes such as the frequency of hospital visits and the severity of
com-
plaints may provide a more accurate assessment of health. We encourage
future research to address these limitations as well as to empirically
evaluate
some of the potential clinical implications of our work.
On Nov 7, 11:54 am, Chu Keong Lee <asck...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Happy ---> Healthy?
>
> Happy - Healthy.pdf
> 89KViewDownload
Ansel Pembroke
Nov 7, 2010, 7:18:49 PM11/7/10
to Happiness
umm....gotta be bipolar to experience highs and lows and probably
nothing in between....there seems to be a link between literary
creativity, overinclusive thinking and bipolar. Does not apply to
scientific creativity though. Not sure about musical bipolar folks...
......suffice to say that the highs experienced by bipolar are
unlikely to be within reach of ordinary folks.
i do not know if LSD etc can produce the same output....must look into
that. I doubt though, certainly not the sensitive portrayal where
clarity is needed.
nothing in between....there seems to be a link between literary
creativity, overinclusive thinking and bipolar. Does not apply to
scientific creativity though. Not sure about musical bipolar folks...
......suffice to say that the highs experienced by bipolar are
unlikely to be within reach of ordinary folks.
i do not know if LSD etc can produce the same output....must look into
that. I doubt though, certainly not the sensitive portrayal where
clarity is needed.
Kevin Lai
Nov 10, 2010, 11:33:44 AM11/10/10
to happin...@googlegroups.com
Hm... wanted to start a new thread but figured that this is probably an easier way of attaching a in-line doc.
Another aspect of discussion I'd like to introduce is how much of self-deception is a factor in happiness.....
The attached file is from:
The text can get bit heavy but honestly a good dose of self deception perhaps is sometimes key to happiness as long as the same self-deceit is not causing long term harm. In our lives deception is used in many positive areas of enhancements including "character building" as well as performance & result enhancements.
This would however be treading on a very thin line. After all it is just a fine line to insanity to some.
Therefore I can only say next is that it's based on my personal experience.
Most of us through the course in our short lifetimes.... will have to deal with worldly issue and many are not pleasant. At those trying moments how do we turn the situation around where reality clearly points otherwise. What happens when we've been robbed of our ability to forgive, love thy enemy, being contented , and have fluffy clouds and rainbows bolstering our lives.....
Now I won't suggest running the other way and living a life of deception to bring you instant happiness....
perhaps something we all can ponder upon - on a small but important factor of happiness (to some)
Kev.
siuyuin
Nov 10, 2010, 12:56:15 PM11/10/10
to Happiness
I think a healthy dose of self-deception is good.
One can find meaning and happiness in whatever situation one finds
oneself in.
After all, those imprisoned at the Nazi concentration camps doing roll
call at 6am in the morning, in the middle of winter with barely
anything warm to wear, were able to sustain themselves through little
bits of human touches and yes, probably a healthy dose of "dream"-like
deception.
I recently read Teo Soh Lung's book "Beyond the Blue Gate" where she
depicted her life in solitary confinement behind bars and the "blue
gate".
http://fn8org.wordpress.com/2010/07/01/teo-soh-lung-shaped-by-and-shapes-history/
http://fn8org.wordpress.com/2010/06/21/hello-world/
The tone throughout the book is remarkably mellow (without as much
outrage or as biting as Francis Seow's "To Catch a Tartar") and has
many moments of self-created cheer (mostly to relieve boredom). The
author found herself talking to little animals and insects that
visited her jail cell including a lizard, a frog, and ants. She even
left some of her Christmas meal out for these rodents to enjoy as a
way of celebrating the holiday. :) Doesn't that bring a smile to
your face?
Obviously, in certain situations, a certain amount of self-deception
will go a long way to sustain ourselves in face of adversity.
However, it will be bad if it becomes a crutch or causes denial.
Assess the situation but think positively. Say grace, give gratitude
and thanks. That will keep that inner fire in us going.
-siu yuin
On Nov 11, 12:33 am, Kevin Lai <kevla...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hm... wanted to start a new thread but figured that this is probably an
> easier way of attaching a in-line doc.
>
> Another aspect of discussion I'd like to introduce is how much of
> self-deception is a factor in happiness.....
>
> The attached file is from:http://www.springerlink.com/content/x3880133262680t2/http://psp.sagepub.com/content/25/5/596.short
>
> point to this posting :
> Self-deception's positive corrrelation with
> happiness<http://www.skepticforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=83&t=13374#p205286>http://www.skepticforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=83&t=13374
> Self-deception's positive corrrelation with
>
> The text can get bit heavy but honestly a good dose of self deception
> perhaps is sometimes key to happiness as long as the same self-deceit is not
> causing long term harm. In our lives deception is used in many positive
> areas of enhancements including "character building" as well as performance
> & result enhancements.
>
> This would however be treading on a very thin line. After all it is just a
> fine line to insanity to some.
>
> Therefore I can only say next is that it's based on my personal experience.
> Most of us through the course in our short lifetimes.... will have to deal
> with worldly issue and many are not pleasant. At those trying moments how do
> we turn the situation around where reality clearly points otherwise. What
> happens when we've been robbed of our ability to forgive, love thy enemy,
> being contented , and have fluffy clouds and rainbows bolstering our
> lives.....
>
> Now I won't suggest running the other way and living a life of deception to
> bring you instant happiness....
> perhaps something we all can ponder upon - on a small but important factor
> of happiness (to some)
>
> Kev.
>
> The text can get bit heavy but honestly a good dose of self deception
> perhaps is sometimes key to happiness as long as the same self-deceit is not
> causing long term harm. In our lives deception is used in many positive
> areas of enhancements including "character building" as well as performance
> & result enhancements.
>
> This would however be treading on a very thin line. After all it is just a
> fine line to insanity to some.
>
> Therefore I can only say next is that it's based on my personal experience.
> Most of us through the course in our short lifetimes.... will have to deal
> with worldly issue and many are not pleasant. At those trying moments how do
> we turn the situation around where reality clearly points otherwise. What
> happens when we've been robbed of our ability to forgive, love thy enemy,
> being contented , and have fluffy clouds and rainbows bolstering our
> lives.....
>
> Now I won't suggest running the other way and living a life of deception to
> bring you instant happiness....
> perhaps something we all can ponder upon - on a small but important factor
> of happiness (to some)
>
> Kev.
>
> 1499KViewDownload
>
> Pers Soc Psychol Bull-1999-Robinson-596-608.pdf
> 177KViewDownload
Kevin Lai
Nov 12, 2010, 1:32:11 AM11/12/10
to happin...@googlegroups.com
picked this up from a friend's facebook page ...
Kevin Lai
Nov 12, 2010, 2:11:39 AM11/12/10
to happin...@googlegroups.com
perhaps that's why arranged marriages work haha
interesting video ....
siuyuin
Nov 12, 2010, 11:13:46 PM11/12/10
to Happiness
yes, i think there are a couple of supporting factors that make
arranged marriages work.
1. arranged marriages are based on matching of socio-economic-cultural-
etc. expectations
2. there's strong social network/pressure/acceptance
3. if you accept 1. & 2. you accept and adapt as a result there's more
tolerance and willingness to compromise
4. divorce becomes a less acceptable option
with 1. and 2. there's generally a better match between "synthetic"
and "natural" happiness (terminology from the Dan Gilbert video) hence
chances are that there will be overall greater sustainable happiness
(of the more subdued kind from acceptance of circumstances).
just to clarify that i am talking of actual arranged marriages of the
kind where its a marriage of "equals" rather than marriages of
convenience or those of a nature where women are in a slavery sort of
situation.
-sy
On Nov 12, 3:11 pm, Kevin Lai <kevla...@gmail.com> wrote:
> come to think of it ......
> perhaps that's why arranged marriages work haha
>
> interesting video ....
>
> On Fri, Nov 12, 2010 at 2:32 PM, Kevin Lai <kevla...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > picked this up from a friend's facebook page ...
>
> >http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_gilbert_asks_why_are_we_happy.html
>
> > <http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_gilbert_asks_why_are_we_happy.html>> > picked this up from a friend's facebook page ...
>
> >http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_gilbert_asks_why_are_we_happy.html
>
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