Happiness
Happiness is the emotion that expresses various degrees of positive feelings ranging from satisfaction to extreme joy. The opposite of sadness, happiness is a goal most people strive to achieve. Happy people are satisfied with their lives.
Unraveling the secret of happiness is a constant topic among scientists, psychologists and people in general. Scientists have developed ways to physiologically measure happiness. One method is by using Functional MRI and EEG tests. Many scientists believe that happiness is determined by genetics and is reflected by neurobiological systems.
Further, various surveys try to measure happiness throughout the world. In the surveys, people are asked questions about several aspects of their lives and levels of happiness. Information collected by the surveys have led some experts to link happiness to a variety of determinants like life expectancy, socioeconomic status, marital status, spirituality, and health. Others link happiness to psychological well-being measured through an individual's levels of self-esteem, social interest, and other factors.
Updated, sourced overview
The text above is preserved from the original listofhumanemotions.com article. The overview below adds current, sourced context.
Happiness is a positive emotion that exists along a spectrum, ranging from quiet contentment to intense joy. As one of psychologist Paul Ekman's six basic emotions, it sits in direct opposition to sadness and serves as a fundamental part of human emotional experience. The emotion manifests differently across individuals and contexts, shaped by both momentary circumstances and longer-term patterns of well-being.
Researchers employ multiple approaches to understand happiness, combining self-report surveys—where individuals rate their own emotional states—with physiological measures such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG). These methods reveal that sustained happiness and well-being stem from a complex interplay of factors: genetic predisposition, life circumstances, quality of relationships, and intentional activities or practices that individuals undertake. This multifaceted nature means that happiness cannot be attributed to any single source.
One of the most recognizable physical markers of happiness is the Duchenne smile, a genuine, felt smile that engages not only the mouth but also the muscles surrounding the eyes. This distinctive pattern distinguishes authentic happiness from forced or polite expressions, offering an observable signal of the emotion's presence. Understanding the breadth of happiness—from subtle contentment to exuberant joy—provides insight into one of the most sought-after dimensions of human emotional life.
This page updates and expands an original listofhumanemotions.com article with current, sourced information.
Sources: Paul Ekman Group — Universal Emotions; American Psychological Association — APA Dictionary: emotion; Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley — Emotions. Educational information only — not medical or psychological advice. See our sources & fact-check policy.
Frequently asked questions
What is happiness?
Happiness is the positive emotion spanning a range from quiet contentment to intense joy. It is one of Paul Ekman's six basic emotions and the opposite of sadness. Researchers study happiness with both self-report surveys and physiological…
What triggers happiness?
Happiness is typically triggered by achievement, connection, pleasure, meaning, safety.
How is happiness expressed?
Happiness is commonly shown through genuine (duchenne) smile, relaxed posture, raised cheeks.
Is it one of the basic emotions?
Yes — happiness is one of the six basic emotions identified by psychologist Paul Ekman (happiness, sadness, anger, fear, disgust, and surprise).
More basic emotions
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