The Second Law of Happiness Motion of Expectation

• Published in: Engineering Happiness p. 59
• Main Authors: Manel Baucells, Rakesh Sarin
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: University of California Press 11.02.2012
• Edition: 1
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Automobiles; Behavioral sciences; Classical mechanics; Cognitive psychology; Cold water; Earth sciences; Emotion; Emotional states; Engineering; Ground transportation; Ground vehicles; Happiness; Housing; Human geography; Human societies; Hydrology; Ice; Kinetics; Laws of Motion; Living arrangements; Mechanics; Motor vehicles; Peer groups; Physical sciences; Physics; Psychology; Room temperature; Sedans; Social comparison; Social groups; Social perception; Social psychology; Social sciences; Sociology; Standard of living; Temperature; Thermal analysis; Thermodynamics; Transportation; Transportation modes; Travel; Vacations; Water
• ISBN: 0520268202; 9780520268203

Expectations play a key role in the laws of happiness. But what determines our expectations? We have argued that what others have influences our expectations. But social comparison is just one of three main factors that influence expectations. What is the second main factor? Here is one simple but powerful experiment. Take three glasses. Fill one glass with hot water (not hot enough to hurt your hand), one with ice water (take the ice out before you begin), and one with water that is room temperature. Next, put one finger of your right hand in the hot water and one