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Some key differences between a happy life and a meaningful life
Open accessAbstract
Being happy and finding life meaningful overlap, but there are important differences. A large survey revealed multiple differing predictors of happiness (controlling for meaning) and meaningfulness (controlling for happiness). Satisfying one’s needs and wants increased happiness but was largely irrelevant to meaningfulness. Happiness was largely present-oriented, whereas meaningfulness involves integrating past, present, and future. For example, thinking about future and past was associated with high meaningfulness but low happiness. Happiness was linked to being a taker rather than a giver, whereas meaningfulness went with being a giver rather than a taker. Higher levels of worry, stress, and anxiety were linked to higher meaningfulness but lower happiness. Concerns with personal identity and expressing the self-contributed to meaning but not happiness. We offer brief composite sketches of the unhappy but meaningful life and of the happy but meaningless life.
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From The Psychology of Rituals: An Integrative Review and Process-Based Framework (2018) · cites this paper as Baumeister, Vohs, Aaker, & Garbinsky, 2013
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“This distinction, as also noted by Baumeister, Vohs, Aaker, and Garbinsky (2013), calls for further exploration into how certain factors lead to meaningfulness over mere pleasure, underscoring the unique dynamics between transient happiness and meaningful experiences.”
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“It is also known that thinking about the future is associated with a greater sense of meaning [17].”
BackgroundInner Peace as a Contribution to Human Flourishing
Xi, J., & Lee, M. T. (2021) · Measuring Well-Being · doi:10.1093/oso/9780197512531.003.0016 · Cited by 21
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“While research on hedonic well-being, such as life satisfaction and positive affect, has received considerable attention, the investigation on meaning in life, has emerged more recently (Baumeister et al., 2013; Costin & Vignoles, 2020; King & Hicks, 2021; Steger et al., 2006).”
van Agteren, J. E., Bartholomaeus, J. D., Steains, E., Lo, L., & Gerace, A. (2021) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-021-00383-4 · Cited by 30
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“Identifying an experience as meaningful therefore entails a retrospective value judgment(s) or interpretation of circumstances (Baumeister et al. 2013).”
BackgroundWhat distinguishes life satisfaction from emotional wellbeing?
Connolly, F. F., & Gärling, T. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1434373 · Cited by 30
Farber, R. S., Kern, M. L., & Brusilovsky, E. (2015) · Rehabilitation Psychology · doi:10.1037/rep0000023 · Cited by 20
Does meaning protect against loneliness? Exploring empirical studies and theory
Folker, A. P., Lauridsen, S., Hegelund, E. R., Wimmelmann, C. L., & Flensborg‐Madsen, T. (2020) · Health Promotion International · doi:10.1093/heapro/daaa081 · Cited by 27
Pride and the experience of meaning in daily life
Nakamura, J. (2013) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2013.830765 · Cited by 25
“, 2007) and offspring have been identified as a major source of life’s meaning (Baumeister, 1991; Baumeister et al., 2012) in adult samples.”
BackgroundSelf-definition threats and potential for growth among mature-aged job-loss victims
Kira, M., & Klehe, U. (2016) · Human Resource Management Review · doi:10.1016/j.hrmr.2016.03.001 · Cited by 25
Liu, D., He, B., Feng, R., Huang, X., & Liu, G. (2024) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-024-01627-7 · Cited by 39
“…with thoughts and memories along with a sense of belonging and social connection; therefore, they are better able to satisfy individuals’ pursuit of a sense of meaning than material purchases, which is both a cognitive and emotional assessment of whether one’s life has purpose and value [48–50].”
BackgroundMcKenna, B. J., & Rooney, D. (2019) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781108568272.030 · Cited by 24
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Mattauch, L., & Hepburn, C. J. (2016) · Midwest Studies in Philosophy · doi:10.1111/misp.12048 · Cited by 24
“Substantive approaches equate welfare with concrete life goals, such as health, happiness meaning or wisdom (Loewenstein, 2009; Layard, 2011; Baumeister et al., 2013; Greene, 2013).”
BackgroundHope for the Future and Avoidance of the Present: Associations with Well-being in Older Adults
Ferguson, S. J., Taylor, A., & McMahon, C. A. (2016) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-016-9787-0 · Cited by 30
Warr, P. B. (2017) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9781118993811.ch4 · Cited by 31
Psychological richness offers a third path to a good life
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Waytz, A. G., & Hofmann, W. (2019) · Emotion · doi:10.1037/emo0000588 · Cited by 23
Does Being a Sport Fan Provide Meaning in Life?
Delia, E. B., James, J. D., & Wann, D. L. L. (2021) · Journal of Sport Management · doi:10.1123/jsm.2020-0267 · Cited by 31
Reisenzein, R., Hildebrandt, A., & Weber, H. (2020) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781108264822.009 · Cited by 26
What makes a life meaningful? Folk intuitions about the content and shape of meaningful lives
Fuhrer, J., & Cova, F. (2021) · Philosophical Psychology · doi:10.1080/09515089.2022.2046262 · Cited by 20
“…the importance of the experience that one’s life is meaningful to well-being (King & Hicks, 2021, Schnell 2020), while at the same time emphasizing that the experience of meaning in life is not predicted by the same factors as other constructs, such as happiness (Baumeister et al., 2013).”
BackgroundPsychological richness increases behavioral intention to protect the environment
Wei, X., Yu, F., Peng, K., & Zhong, N. (2023) · Acta Psychologica Sinica · doi:10.3724/sp.j.1041.2023.01330 · Cited by 23
Chu, S. T.-W., Fung, H. H.-L., & Chu, L. (2019) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbz086 · Cited by 28
Tang, N., Li, Z., Chen, J., & Tang, T. L. (2022) · Asian Journal of Business Ethics · doi:10.1007/s13520-022-00156-z · Cited by 26
“We encourage people to move beyond happiness and focus on a meaningful life (Baumeister et al., 2013).”
BackgroundThe effects of the experience recommendation on short- and long-term happiness
Sääksjärvi, M., Hellén, K., & Desmet, P. (2015) · Marketing Letters · doi:10.1007/s11002-015-9382-x · Cited by 22
Battersby, A., & Phillips, L. (2016) · The International Journal of Aging & Human Development · doi:10.1177/0091415016647731 · Cited by 27
“This study reaffirms findings by Baumeister et al. (2013), Cohen and Cairns (2012), Dezutter et al. (2014), and Taubman-Ben-Ari (2011) of adaptive and maladaptive aspects of meaning.”
ResultThe subjective quality of episodic future thought and the experience of meaning in life
Vess, M., Hoeldtke, R. T., Leal, S. A., Sanders, C. S., & Hicks, J. A. (2017) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2017.1291851 · Cited by 22
Perceived stress and well‐being in UK and Australian dental hygiene and dental therapy students
Harris, M., Wilson, J. C., Hughes, S., Knevel, R. J. M., & Radford, D. R. (2018) · European Journal Of Dental Education · doi:10.1111/eje.12360 · Cited by 22
Zhang, H., Chen, K., & Schlegel, R. J. (2018) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/0146167218771330 · Cited by 25
“This hypothesis is based on the particular importance of self-expression to meaning (Baumeister et al., 2013; Schlegel, Hirsch, & Smith, 2013) and the idea that experiences can be meaningful even if they aren’t enjoyable (Baumeister et al., 2013; Park, 2010, 2013).”
BackgroundMethodResultInfluentialZhou, S., Jiang, L., Li, W., & Leng, M. (2025) · Humanities and Social Sciences Communications · doi:10.1057/s41599-025-04424-8 · Cited by 33
“Therefore, compared to subjective feelings, one ’ s sense of meaning is more intrinsically tied to their cultural identity formed within the linguistic environment they grew up in (Baumeister et al. 2013; Ding et al. 2024).”
Hofer, J., Busch, H., Au, A. M. L., Šolcová, I. P., Tavel, P., & Wong, T. T. (2018) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2018.1548568 · Cited by 21
The mind is its own place: The difficulties and benefits of thinking for pleasure
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Xie, J., Wen, Z., Shen, J., Tan, Y., Liu, X., Yang, Y., & Zheng, X. (2023) · Journal of Adolescence · doi:10.1002/jad.12172 · Cited by 21
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Fu, J., Wang, T., & Wang, L. (2023) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2023.112346 · Cited by 27
Grénman, M., Hakala, U., Mueller, B., & Uusitalo, O. (2023) · International Journal of Consumer Studies · doi:10.1111/ijcs.12994 · Cited by 40
The cognitive complexity of a happy life, a meaningful life, and a psychologically rich life
Oishi, S., Westgate, E. C., & Cha, Y. (2024) · Journal of Research in Personality · doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2024.104475 · Cited by 21
Shared reality makes life meaningful: Are we really going in the right direction?
Cornwell, J. F. M., Franks, B., & Higgins, E. T. (2017) · Motivation Science · doi:10.1037/mot0000071 · Cited by 24
Kyprianides, A., & Easterbrook, M. J. (2020) · The Prison Journal · doi:10.1177/0032885520939316 · Cited by 21
“…(“I am close and connected to other people”; adapted from the BPNS), autonomy (“How I spend my time is my own choice”; adapted from the BPNS), control (“I have control over my life”; Greenaway et al., 2016), and meaning (“My life has meaning”; adapted from items used in Baumeister et al., 2013).”
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Morse, J. L., & Steger, M. F. (2019) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-24864-2_1 · Cited by 26
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Pham, T.-A. N., Sweeney, J., & Soutar, G. N. (2020) · Journal of Services Marketing · doi:10.1108/jsm-02-2020-0044 · Cited by 22
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“This is in line with fndings that suggest that meaning, a core ingredient of eudaimonic motives, is something which develops over time [3, 21].”
ResultChallenge, focus, inspiration and support: Processes of values clarification and congruence
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“The well-being measure was motivated by prior research (e.g., Baumeister et al. 2013; Diener et al. 1985).”
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“This finding was consistent with previous studies (Baumeister et al., 2013; Berger & Freund, 2012; Huang, 2021), indicating that fear of failure might significantly impact students’ meaning in life and affective well-being.”
ResultThe relationship of diverse leisure activities with flourishing
Mock, S. E., & Smale, B. J. A. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1130906 · Cited by 19
“For example, the more people rate life as easy with basic wants and needs met, the happier they are, but these ratings appear to have no bearing on perceptions of the meaningfulness of life (Baumeister et al., 2013).”
BackgroundA longitudinal follow-up study of happiness and meaning-making
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“The bulk of the extant studies have used self-report measures, which tend to be highly correlated with one another (e.g. Baumeister et al., 2013; Fredrickson et al., 2013).”
BackgroundZhang, R., Li, D., Chen, F., Ewalds‐Kvist, B. M., & Liu, S. (2017) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01010 · Cited by 19
“Furthermore, Baumeister et al. (2013) made known that unhappy people can live meaningful lives and happy people can live meaningless lives (cf. Ewalds-Kvist and Lützén, 2015).”
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“Individual studies on the subject have shown repeatedly that, unlike the hedonic motive, the eudaimonic motive urges people more to think about their real selves (Huta, 2012), and reflect deeply on their past and future (Baumeister et al., 2013).”
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“However, linking the past, present and future may be a way of guiding present actions and providing a way to find meaning (Baumeister et al., 2013).”
BackgroundWhen are people willing to help others? Links with eudaimonic versus hedonic motives
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“…component”), and a sense of meaning (e.g., Baumeister et al., 2013; Deci & Ryan, 2008; Schimmack, 2008), which has both cognitive and emotional components relating to the individual’s feelings of coherence, significance, and purpose in life (Baumeister et al., 2013; Martela & Steger, 2016).”
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“Findings show that meaning emerges by zooming out in time , thereby aligning with Baumeister et al. (2013), but also by zooming out to other settings and other aspects of life.”
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The pros and cons of having a meaningful life
Lane, D. J., & Mathes, E. W. (2017) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2017.08.012 · Cited by 21
Social exclusion and donation behaviour: What conditions motivate the socially excluded to donate?
Lee, G., & Park, C. (2019) · Asian Journal Of Social Psychology · doi:10.1111/ajsp.12359 · Cited by 16
Li, P. F. J., Wong, Y. J., Granderson, R. M., & Jackson, D. (2021) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2021.1991445 · Cited by 21
Measurement Invariance of the Meaning in Life Questionnaire Across 17 Countries
Schutte, L., Brdar, I., Wissing, M. P., Tončić, M., de Araújo, U. F., Carlquist, E., Solano, A. C., Freire, T., Pozo, M. D. R. H., Jose, P. E., et al. (2023) · Applied Research in Quality of Life · doi:10.1007/s11482-023-10150-7 · Cited by 19
“Several studies have shown that family and other close interpersonal relationships are primary sources of meaning for people from various cultural contexts (e.g., Baumeister et al., 2013; Delle Fave et al., 2013; King & Hicks, 2021).”
BackgroundDifferences among a satisfied, a meaningful, and a psychologically rich working life
Zacher, H., & Baumeister, R. F. (2024) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2024.2417102 · Cited by 23
“Second, similar to Baumeister et al. (2013), we examine unique and differential associations between these dimensions of the good working life and other constructs.”
InfluentialSelf-citationThe Relationship between Happiness and Economic Development in KSA: Study of Jazan Region
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Current Recommendations on the Selection of Measures for Well-Being
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“Eudaimonic well-being is related to meaningfulness, which is conceptually and empirically distinct from happiness (Baumeister et al. 2013).”
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Teacher Change in relation to Professional Development in Entrepreneurial Learning
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Eudaimonic well-being in individuals with mild to moderate intellectual disability
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“…materialistic, hedonistic and self-oriented types of meaning are experienced as less meaningful and satisfying, and are correlated with smaller long-term well-being, while social and larger values are correlated with larger well-being (e.g., Baumeister et al., 2013; Nielsen, Gantt & Thayne, 2014).”
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Metadata
- Authors
- Baumeister, R. F., Vohs, K. D., Aaker, J. L., & Garbinsky, E. N.
- Affiliations
- Florida State University (US)
- University of Minnesota (US)
- Stanford University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Baumeister, Roy F.
- Venue
- The Journal of Positive Psychology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2013-11
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 505-516
- ISSN
- 1743-9760 (ISSN-L)
- 1743-9779
- OpenAlex
- W1519128814
- Cited by
- 1,006
- References
- 27
- Citations by year
- 2026: 42 · 2025: 98 · 2024: 98 · 2023: 101 · 2022: 82 · 2021: 72 · 2020: 124 · 2019: 81 · 2018: 66 · 2017: 66 · 2016: 96 · 2015: 40 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 13
- FWCI
- 86.89
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- doi.org
- Locations
- The Journal of Positive Psychology (publishedVersion)
- SSRN Electronic Journal (acceptedVersion)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Optimism, Hope, and Well-being
- Keywords
- happiness, meaningfulness, subjective well-being, predictors of happiness, need satisfaction, present orientation, stress, personal identity, self-expression
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