What is Happiness? The Concept of Happiness in Existential Psychology and Therapy

Authors

  • Bo Jacobsen Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65828/ypvm1526

Abstract

Happiness as experienced by ordinary people has been the object in both sociological and psychological studies. The concept of happiness used in the studies of Positive and Humanistic Psychology varies from subjective well-being, to the fulfilment of life goals. In Existential Psychology the concept of happiness has both bodily and spiritual dimensions. In this paper the concept of happiness will be analyzed and the use of it in existential psychology and therapy will be discussed. The contributions to the field of Bühler, Boss, Condrau, Heidegger and May will be examined to throw light on a vital phenomenon concerning us all.

Full text available
Complete access to the full archive of articles is available with SEA membership. Existing members: please log in with your membership password to view full text. Non-members can buy a single article or issue by registering an account on this website, then selecting a padlocked full text button to purchase.

References

Argyle, M. (2001). The Psychology of Happiness. London; Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315812212

Benson, H. (2000). The relaxation response. N.Y.: Quill.

Boss, M. (1990). Anxiety, guilt and psychotherapeutic liberation. In: Hoeller, K. (ed.). Readings in Existential Psychology and Psychiatry. Special edition from Review of Existential Psychology and Psychiatry.

Boss, M. (1994). Existential Foundations of Medicine and Psychology. New Jersey: Aronson.

Bühler, C. (1959). Der menschliche Lebenslauf als psychologisches Problem. Göttingen: Verlag für Psychologie.

Bühler, C. & Massarik, F. (1968). The Course of Human Life. A Study of Goals in a Humanistic Perspective. New York: Springer.

Condrau, G. (1991). Der Mensch und sein Tod. Zürich: Kreuz Verlag.

Dalai Lama & Cutler, H.C. (1998). The Art of Happiness. A Handbook for Living. N.Y.: Riverhead Books.

Diener, E et al (2002). Subjective Well-Being. The Science of Happiness and Life satisfaction. In: Snyder, C.R. & Lopez, S.J. (ed.): Handbook of Positive Psychology. (p.63-73). Oxford Univ. Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199557257.013.0010

Harding, S. (1986). Contrasting values in Western Europe: Unity, diversity and change. Bastingstoke: Macmillian in association with the European Value Systems Study Group.

Heidegger, M. (1995). Being and Time. Oxford: Blackwell.

Hesse, H. (1998). Siddhartha. London: Picador.

Jaspers, K. (1994). Philosophie KK. Existenzerhelling. München: Piper.

Lewinsohn, P.M. & Graf, M. (1973). Pleasant activities and depression. Journal of Consultingand clinical Psychology, 41, 261-268. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/h0035142

May, R. (1983). The Discovery of Being. USA: Norton.

Paxton, W. & Dixon, M. (2004). The state of the nation. London: Institute for Public Policy Research.

Rogers, C. (1961). On becoming a person. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Spinelli, E. (1997). Tales of Unknowing. Therapeutic Encounters from an Existential Perspective. London: Duckworth.

Veenhoven, R. (1993). Happiness in Nations: Subjective Appreciation of Life in 56 nations 1942-1992. Rotterdam: Erasmus University Rotterdam. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-005-0003-x

Yalom, I. (1980). Existential Psychotherapy. New York: Basic Books.

Published

2007-01-01

Cite This Article

What is Happiness? The Concept of Happiness in Existential Psychology and Therapy. (2007). Existential Analysis: Journal of the Society for Existential Analysis, 18(1), 39-50. https://doi.org/10.65828/ypvm1526
Download: RIS · BibTeX

Articles by the same author(s)