Two Conceptions of Happiness: Contrasts of Personal Expressiveness (Eudaimonia) and Hedonic Enjoyment

Aristotle's concept of eudaimonia and hedonic enjoyment constitute 2 philosophical conceptions of happiness. Two studies involving combined samples of undergraduate and graduate students (Study 1, N = 209; Study 2, N = 249) were undertaken to identify the convergent and divergent aspects of the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of personality and social psychology 1993-04, Vol.64 (4), p.678-691
Main Author: Waterman, Alan S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
College students
Concepts
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Happiness
Hedonism
Human
Personality traits
Personality. Affectivity
Philosophies
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Social research
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Summary:Aristotle's concept of eudaimonia and hedonic enjoyment constitute 2 philosophical conceptions of happiness. Two studies involving combined samples of undergraduate and graduate students (Study 1, N = 209; Study 2, N = 249) were undertaken to identify the convergent and divergent aspects of these constructs. As expected, there was a strong positive correlation between personal expressiveness (eudaimonia) and hedonic enjoyment. Analyses revealed significant differences between the 2 conceptions of happiness experienced in conjunction with activities for the variables of (a) opportunities for satisfaction, (b) strength of cognitive-affective components, (c) level of challenges, (d) level of skills, and (e) importance. It thus appears that the 2 conceptions of happiness are related but distinguishable and that personal expressiveness, but not hedonic enjoyment, is a signifier of success in the process of self-realization.
ISSN:0022-3514
1939-1315
DOI:10.1037/0022-3514.64.4.678