happiness

‘Tis the season to be generous

December: a month characterized by commercial holidays such as ‘Sinterklaas’ and Christmas, but also traditionally a period for giving to those in need. Why do some people choose to spend money on someone else instead of buying something for themselves?

Mara van der Meulen • 09-12-2019

Do wedding choices influence marriage quality?

Spring has given way to summer, which means it’s time for tropical temperatures, beach days, barbecues, and of course, weddings! In this blog let’s find out whether wedding choices, such as the number of guests, can influence marriage quality

Suzanne van de Groep • 06-06-2019

Who can get it across to the voters that life is good in the Netherlands?

Voters seem to be guided by their emotions rather than by the facts, and this can have consequences for democracy, Gert-Jan Lelieveld writes. For once, try focusing on the things that are going well.

Gert-Jan Lelieveld • 06-03-2017

Self-esteem: is there more to it than meets the eye?

Have you ever wondered where your self-esteem comes from? Maybe it’s that you consider yourself to be intelligent and successful in your work, or that your friends tell you that you have such a warm and bubbly personality...

Laura van der Aar • 23-05-2016

Buying happiness or stress? The role of empathy in Christmas shopping

A few weeks before Christmas most people seem to be stressed out about what to buy their loved ones. But why do we make such an effort in buying all these gifts?

Sandy Overgaauw • 09-12-2015

Locked in or locked out?

Can you be happy when you are completely paralyzed? When you can think and feel, but can only blink your eyes? Surprisingly, most people with the locked-in syndrome can be happy. What is devastating is when you are locked out of society.

Femke Nijboer • 29-03-2015

Thanksgiving: who feels most grateful?

Last week was Thanksgiving – a day to reflect on things we are grateful for. People who dwell on past experiences are generally less happy in life than people who are able to detach themselves. How would ‘detachers’ and ‘dwellers’ feel after Thanksgiving?

Marijke van Putten • 05-12-2013

How to be successful?

How can we become more successful? How can we achieve more in our jobs? And how do we become more efficient in our daily lives? These are central questions, especially in professional life. But what is success?

Marijke van Putten • 02-02-2013