Current Specific Research Projects

Chapter 35 :The meaning of happiness in Japan and the United States

Authors : K. Ishii

Abstract : In order to show additional evidence regarding cultural differences in the meaning of happiness, data related to happiness from Japanese and Americans in the GRID project were analyzed. Although many features of the meaning of happiness were common between the two cultures, cultural differences reflecting divergent modes of agency (i.e., independence vs. interdependence) were also found. In the US, happiness was more related to a sense of control and high-arousal states, whereas in Japan happiness was more related to the fulfilment of other’s expectations, as well as low-arousal states. Overall happiness was connected to both pride and love in both cultures. Regarding the physiological features, however, happiness was connected more to pride than love in the US, whereas the pattern was reversed in Japan.

Keywords : Happiness independent vs. interdependent agency high- vs. low-arousal state pride love