Summary
It is essential to note that the concept of happiness and life satisfaction has long been challenging to study experimentally. The given analysis will address Robert Waldinger’s TED Talk, “What Makes a Good Life? Lessons from the Longest Study on Happiness.” Waldinger’s conclusions do not seem accurate, logical, or valid since it is more likely that health can be a stronger predictor and cause of happy relationships.
Personal Definition of Happiness
Being happy means controlling my life financially, psychologically, behaviorally, and socially. I have never been a fan of consumption, meaning things have little role in increasing my satisfaction with life. However, I desire money for the greater control and security it provides.
For example, if I were to lose any source of income tomorrow, I would want to feel secure and be able to afford to be in this state for six months or a year. I want to travel, but I do not prioritize it as my goal. My happiness depends significantly on my relationship with others, and the positive and healthy bonds I make give color to life. Therefore, the video of interest for the analysis is interesting.
Method: Correlation and Causation
Waldinger’s study is a unique longitudinal observation of around 700 male participants divided into two groups. He is the fourth director of a study spanning 75 years, the purpose of which is to examine the roots of happiness. The findings suggest that relationships are vital to enabling happiness and life satisfaction (TED, 2016).
The first one includes Harvard students, and the second comprises Boston boys from low-income backgrounds (TED, 2016). However, it is critical to note that the finding of happiness being strongly connected to relationships is correlational. A course concept on causal fallacy indicates correlation is not causation (Robinson, 2020).
The methodology is not experimental, which would be the sole way to determine the causation. In other words, the researchers would have to actively block the formation of healthy relationships in one group and compare them to another, controlling for all other factors. Such an experiment is both unethical and impossible over the long term; therefore, the best conclusion regarding happiness over longer spans of time would be correlational.
The process by which Waldinger and those previously involved with this study carried out their research has several flaws. It employs a course concept of inductive reasoning, which involves determining general principles from a special case (Robinson, 2020). For example, the sample is not representative, all-male, and purposefully selected, which creates a strong bias that undermines the validity of making a generalized statement. There is no specification of whether all participants were willing to undergo blood sampling, scanning, interviews, and other procedures. Additionally, it is unclear whether a participant or their partner also contributes to determining the happiness factor of a relationship.
Population and Sample
In the case of population and sample, the latter does not represent the former. The sampling method is non-probabilistic and non-random, which means there is a risk of sampling bias. The two groups were selected purposefully and conveniently, and the participants must have also demonstrated a willingness to participate (TED, 2016).
Thus, there is an element of voluntary response sampling, as well as other elements of non-probabilistic sample selection. The concept of credulity in the course relies on the authenticity and authority of the source (Robinson, 2020). The selected pool of participants is not representative of the population, which introduces a range of confounding factors and reduces credibility.
However, Waldinger’s study’s most significant issue is its explicit focus on male participants and complete exclusion of female subjects. In other words, the entire observation can only be applied to men, and the most accurate interpretation of the findings would be that relationships are beneficial for men (TED, 2016). A concept of accuracy in course design is a standard of critical thought (Robinson, 2020). Thus, assuming the methodology and sampling are valid, the most plausible conclusion is that men should strive for healthy and fulfilling relationships to live longer, healthier, and more satisfying lives.
Veracity
The overall veracity of Waldinger’s ongoing study is questionable, as even if all methodological flaws are ignored, there is a strong possibility that happiness is the outcome of health and well-being. In other words, one is more likely to report that he is happy and satisfied with his marriage if he is healthy rather than ill. Disregarding a range of confounding variables, happiness is somewhat subjective, so its role in determining relationships is also not objective. A course concept of objectivity states that bias or opinions must not influence the thought process (Robinson, 2020).
The most objective conclusion based on these two factors would be that people with healthy relationships tend to be healthier physically, or that individuals with good physical health tend to form better relationships. Both observations are equally plausible, which means the veracity of the conclusion that relationships are the sole predictor of a good life is low. Instead, Waldinger should have stated that if one is healthy over a lifetime, he is likely to have high-quality relationships, and vice versa.
Personal Experience
In my personal experience, Waldinger’s conclusion is not fully supported, as I value my close relationships with my family and friends, but I can also be happy and content alone. In addition, I am more willing to seek out social connections and satisfactory relationships only when I am healthy and happy. For example, suppose I am excelling in academics, pursuing professional aspirations, or maintaining good health. In that case, I want to allocate a certain amount of time to people I care about, indicating the opposite correlation.
For instance, I have had moments of financial insecurity in the past when I needed my family’s help to have some financial means to live. However, I would not categorize them as being happy or wanting to connect with them. Instead, I felt a sense of shame and dissatisfaction due to my financial position and poor health. The latter is because I struggle to prioritize my health and well-being when I do not have the time and money to cook, sleep well, avoid stress, and exercise. Therefore, health is the predictor of good relationships.
References
Robinson, R. (2020). Critical thinking. Independently Published.
TED. (2016). Robert Waldinger: What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness | TED [Video]. YouTube. Web.