Abstract
A 4-week-long experiment examined the effects of a positive activity intervention in which students wrote about their “best
possible selves” (BPS) once a week. We manipulated two factors that might affect the success of the happiness-increasing activity—whether
the positive activity was administered online versus in-person and whether the participant read a persuasive peer testimonial
before completing the activity. Our results indicated that the BPS activity significantly boosted positive affect and flow
and marginally increased feelings of relatedness. No differences were found between participants who completed the positive
activity online versus in-person. However, students who read a testimonial extolling the virtues of the BPS activity showed
larger gains in well-being than those who read neutral information or completed a control task. The results lend legitimacy
to online self-administered happiness-increasing activities and highlight the importance of participants’ beliefs in the efficacy
of such activities for optimum results.
possible selves” (BPS) once a week. We manipulated two factors that might affect the success of the happiness-increasing activity—whether
the positive activity was administered online versus in-person and whether the participant read a persuasive peer testimonial
before completing the activity. Our results indicated that the BPS activity significantly boosted positive affect and flow
and marginally increased feelings of relatedness. No differences were found between participants who completed the positive
activity online versus in-person. However, students who read a testimonial extolling the virtues of the BPS activity showed
larger gains in well-being than those who read neutral information or completed a control task. The results lend legitimacy
to online self-administered happiness-increasing activities and highlight the importance of participants’ beliefs in the efficacy
of such activities for optimum results.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Research Paper
- Pages 1-20
- DOI 10.1007/s10902-012-9346-2
- Authors
- Kristin Layous, Department of Psychology, University of California, 900 University Ave., Riverside, CA 92521, USA
- S. Katherine Nelson, Department of Psychology, University of California, 900 University Ave., Riverside, CA 92521, USA
- Sonja Lyubomirsky, Department of Psychology, University of California, 900 University Ave., Riverside, CA 92521, USA
- Journal Journal of Happiness Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-7780
- Print ISSN 1389-4978