Worklife with Adam Grant
We’re wrong about what makes us happy with Dan Gilbert
Apr 8, 2025
Daniel Gilbert, a Harvard psychologist and bestselling author of 'Stumbling on Happiness,' reveals why our predictions about what will make us happy are often wrong. He shares his unconventional journey from high school dropout to esteemed professor. The conversation dives into affective forecasting and how small annoyances can overshadow significant events. They also explore the intricacies of regret and the surprising ways our life choices impact happiness, emphasizing the importance of embracing the present.
38:21
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Quick takeaways
- Dan Gilbert's research highlights that people consistently misjudge their future happiness due to cognitive limitations in affective forecasting.
- The discussion reveals that individuals often underestimate their resilience and ability to adapt, affecting their predictions about happiness after adversity.
Deep dives
Complexities of Happiness Prediction
Research indicates that people struggle to accurately predict what will make them happy in the future. This tendency is known as affective forecasting, where individuals underestimate their ability to adapt to changes and often overestimate the duration and intensity of their emotional responses to life events. For instance, the assumption that significant negative experiences, such as a divorce or job loss, will result in long-term unhappiness overlooks the natural resilience that humans exhibit. Studies have shown that, over time, individuals often return to their baseline levels of happiness, challenging the belief that initial setbacks dictate lasting emotional states.
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