Week 2

Biases

that get in the way of happiness

8 videos

In this unit, students will learn about biases that get in the way of happiness.. Dr. Laurie Santos explores why we get used to good and bad things in life and how we can make better predictions about what we will want in the future.. Dr. Santos discusses how we compare ourselves to others using reference points and what we can do to deal with our limited attention.

1. Our Minds Are Bad at Predicting Our Feelings

In this video for teens, Dr. Laurie Santos explores the concept of 'affective forecasting' and how our predictions about future happiness often mislead us. Discover why experiences, such as getting a good grade or going to Hawaii, might not be as intensely joyous or last as long as we anticipate, leading to what psychologists call 'the impact bias'.

2. Happiness Problem #1: We Get Used to Stuff but Don't Know It

In this video for teens, Dr. Laurie Santos dives into the concept of hedonic adaptation, explaining how our emotional responses to both positive and negative events tend to diminish over time. Learn about the psychological immune system and how it helps us recover from adverse events, and discover why understanding these processes can inspire us to step out of our comfort zones and chase our dreams.

3. How Can We Deal with Hedonic Adaptation?

In this video for teens, Dr. Laurie Santos discusses strategies to outsmart our hedonic adaptation for greater happiness. Discover the benefits of investing in experiences over material goods, the power of savoring moments mindfully, and the surprising positivity of negative visualization. Find out how to harness these tactics to keep life fresh and invigorating.

4. Happiness Problem #2a: We Compare Ourselves a Lot

In this video for teens, Dr. Laurie Santos explores the puzzling reasons why our expectations of happiness often fail us, with a particular focus on the psychological concept of 'reference points'. Discover how the comparisons we make can significantly impact our emotional state and learn how to foster healthier attitudes towards success and happiness.

5. Happiness Problem #2b: We Compare Ourselves to Other People

In this video for teens, Dr. Laurie Santos explores the problem of social comparison and its implications on our happiness, drawing from real-life scenarios and scientific studies. Discover how our perception of others' lives, amplified by social media and television, skews our self-evaluations and learn strategies to foster a healthier mindset for a happier life.

6. How Can We Deal with Social Comparisons?

In this video for teens, Dr. Laurie Santos discusses how social comparisons and reference points affect our happiness. Learn to manage your digital exposure, from redefining your social media feeds to reducing screen time, empowering yourself towards a healthier, happier mindset.

7. Happiness Problem #3: Our Attention Is Limited

In this video for teens, Dr. Laurie Santos investigates how our attention, or the lack thereof, can hinder our happiness. She highlights the pitfalls of both bottom-up and top-down attention, and reveals how distractions, especially from our phones, deprive us of joy. Learn how to manage your attention better, enjoy life's moments more fully, and boost your happiness.

8. How Can We Deal with Limited Attention?

In this video for teens, Dr. Laurie Santos introduces the concept of attentional hygiene, underscoring how our phones can limit our attention and affect our happiness and performance. Explore practical 'Psych Pro Tips' to control distractions, manage phone settings, and interact mindfully with your phone to improve focus and elevate your overall life experience.

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