Marriage, Climate, and the Focusing Illusion

Thinking, Fast and Slow

This flow follows how salient life changes distort global judgments of happiness and future desire.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Marriage Expectations Marriage Expectations from "Thinking, Fast and Slow". The Wedding Curve Anticipated Happiness People marry expecting lasting improvement or preservation of bliss.

Marriage Expectations from "Thinking, Fast and Slow". The Wedding Curve Anticipated Happiness People marry expecting lasting improvement or preservation of bliss.

The Wedding Curve Anticipated Happiness People marry expecting lasting improvement or preservation of bliss. Declining Evaluation Life satisfaction later falls, though the graph does not by itself prove adaptation.

Dating as Happiness Dating as Happiness from "Thinking, Fast and Slow". A Narrow Prompt Romantic Recall Asking about dates first makes romantic satisfaction dominate a later happiness rating.

Dating as Happiness from "Thinking, Fast and Slow". A Narrow Prompt Romantic Recall Asking about dates first makes romantic satisfaction dominate a later happiness rating.

A Narrow Prompt Romantic Recall Asking about dates first makes romantic satisfaction dominate a later happiness rating. Substitution A local feeling stands in for an evaluation of life as a whole.

California Belief California Belief from "Thinking, Fast and Slow". Climate and Happiness Shared Assumption Students believe California residents are happier because of the weather.

California Belief from "Thinking, Fast and Slow". Climate and Happiness Shared Assumption Students believe California residents are happier because of the weather.

Climate and Happiness Shared Assumption Students believe California residents are happier because of the weather. Evidence Actual life satisfaction does not differ from Midwestern students' satisfaction.

Paraplegic Adaptation Paraplegic Adaptation from "Thinking, Fast and Slow". Attention Withdrawn Early Shock Recent injury dominates thought and mood.

Paraplegic Adaptation from "Thinking, Fast and Slow". Attention Withdrawn Early Shock Recent injury dominates thought and mood.

Attention Withdrawn Early Shock Recent injury dominates thought and mood. Familiar Life Over time, work, friends, jokes, and ordinary irritation occupy attention again.

Car Pleasure Car Pleasure from "Thinking, Fast and Slow". When the Car Matters Global Rating People quickly report how much pleasure a car gives them.

Car Pleasure from "Thinking, Fast and Slow". When the Car Matters Global Rating People quickly report how much pleasure a car gives them.

When the Car Matters Global Rating People quickly report how much pleasure a car gives them. Ordinary Use They rarely think about it while driving, so the remembered rating exaggerates its daily impact.

At the opening of the thinking-about-life chapter

During the discussion of life judgments

During the focusing-illusion research

Later in the focusing-illusion chapter

Near the end of Part 5