Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


SKLADZIEN Thesis Final.pdf (2.04 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

The Impact of Culture and Philosophy on Subjective Well-Being and an Introductory Look into Chinese Happiness Today

Skladzien, Matthew
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1563199064116606

Abstract Details

2019, Master of Arts, Ohio State University, East Asian Languages and Literatures.
The popularity of happiness studies in China has steadily increased since the last decade of the 20th century. Following the practices of Western happiness research, academics looking into Chinese happiness have utilized both self- and non-self-report measures to understand what Chinese views on happiness look like, and how demographics affect subjective well-being scores. Both Chinese and Western researchers are interested in the specifics of Chinese happiness and data on the topic can be found among Chinese and English sources. This paper firstly combines the most impactful studies on happiness from English and Chinese sources, to understand what happiness looks like from both a broad, global perspective and a specific, Chinese one. Much of the English data is being presented for the first time in Chinese in this paper and serves to educate the Chinese academic community about the work being completed by their foreign peers. Due to the lack of a singular Mandarin word that contains every connotation within the English term `happiness’, including positive affect, fulfillment of desire, and lack of worry, Chinese surveys that measure well-being utilize a handful of different terms: some researchers use xingfu `幸福’or kuaile `快乐’while others use yukuai `愉快’. The lack of agreement on a single term within the academic community has led to analyses that make false equivalences or generalizations that do not capture the specificity of the Chinese language. By measuring response to various Chinese happiness terms, I will show that there is a practical and measurable difference in well-being according to the term being measured. I argue that it is imperative for researchers to clearly define the terms they are measuring so that it may be compared to correct aspects of Western `happiness’. Finally, I will attempt to elucidate the common factors Chinese respondents consider when evaluating their well-being. Beyond demographic correlations it is important for research in this field to understand the considerations people make when evaluating their lives. Through analysis of these considerations, I will show that Chinese happiness is categorized by social relations and spiritual fulfillment.
Xiaobin Jian (Advisor)
Galal Walker (Committee Member)
80 p.
Philosophy; Psychology; Sociology
Subjective Well-Being; Happiness

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Skladzien, M. (2019). The Impact of Culture and Philosophy on Subjective Well-Being and an Introductory Look into Chinese Happiness Today [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1563199064116606

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Skladzien, Matthew. The Impact of Culture and Philosophy on Subjective Well-Being and an Introductory Look into Chinese Happiness Today . 2019. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1563199064116606.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Skladzien, Matthew. "The Impact of Culture and Philosophy on Subjective Well-Being and an Introductory Look into Chinese Happiness Today ." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1563199064116606

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1563199064116606
2,396
© 2019, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.