Richard_Layard_Stated_That_‘Happiness_Comes_from_Outside_and_Within’._Explain_This_Statement,_Drawing_on_Evidence_on_Chapters_2_and_4_of_the_Module.

Christine Bussey Y183 EMA Task 1, part A Richard Layard stated that ‘Happiness comes from outside and within’. Explain this statement, drawing on evidence on chapters 2 and 4 of the module. Happiness must come from both external and internal factors. Happiness is a positive feeling which covers a mixture of emotions from joy and contentment (Spoors et al 2011, p7). When Layard states ‘outside’ he is referring to peoples relationships and social identity,(their environment) when stating ‘within’ he is referring to biological factors, such as brain states and the physical health of an individual. This essay will show how relationships and biological factors affect happiness of an individual. External influences affect happiness in many ways which include work, social identity, and poverty; the most important factor in this is relationships, whether this is family, partners or friends. Relationships can cause pleasure and pain, without them people would have a lonely life, be socially isolated and emotionally deprived. (Spoors et al, 2011, p 77) People need to feel needed, supported and valued. From the moment babies are born we form an attachment. In an observational study Mary Ainsworth (1978, cited in Spoors et al 2011, p82) suggested having a secure attachment at an early stage influence intellectual development, confidence with the world and are more comfortable in themselves which helps interaction with others. However, there may be a reverse affect if the attachment is damaged or broken. A child that has an insecure relationship, are not able to have positive experiences in life due to lack of caring people around them to give emotional support. This research demonstrates importance of external factor of nurture and how it affects happiness. Jarmila Koluchova (1972, cited in Spoors et al 2011, p83) performed a case study which indicates that having a lack of attachment in early life can later be reversed. She studied twins who were extremely behind socially and cognitively. They had suffered extreme deprivation through being in a small room with no emotional care or support and physical abused. They were later put into foster care with an emotional supportive woman. By the age of eleven they were able to speak. Later in life with a follow up report their intelligence was above average, working and had intimate relationships with woman and a close relationship with their foster parent, showing that emotional support can improve the quality of life even in such extreme cases. This shows that attachments can be reversed with a supportive relationship, however, UNICEF charity (to protect children’s welfare and basic needs) assumed that most people were interested in material possessions but when an inquiry took place in 2006 (cited in Spoors et al, 2011 p 104) 8000 comments made from young people, stated that family, friends, feeling loved and supported was more important for a good childhood which also seems to have helped the Koluchova twins. Unlike UNICEF, where they looked at children’s wellbeing. Robert Lane looked into adults. Lanes argument is that we gain happiness through our close relationships (2000, cited in Spoors et al, p 105) He also states that loved ones opinions have an effect on the individual moods whether this is a good or bad opinion, affection or dislike and acceptance or rejection. Although relationships can frustrate and cause emotional pain, they also provide reassurance and support which continues to be an important source of happiness. On the other hand, happiness from within depend on different factors of the brain; one is the brain activity of individuals that can be presented by EEG’s (electroencephalograph). When people felt happy and had a positive attitude the activity came from the front of the brain on the left side whereas when there were negative feelings activity was in the front of the brain on the right side. Richard Davidson and Jon Kabat-Zinn (2003, cited in Spoors et al 2011, p 35) did an experiment on highly pressured workers to see the difference in brain activity. They split the group into two groups. The group that got offered the meditation had 8 weeks of training and were told to keep practicing by themselves. The results showed that the group who received the meditation had increased brain activity on the left hemisphere, suggesting they were happier due to meditation. Both groups also had the flu vaccination; the group that had meditation seemed to have better and stronger immunity against it than the other group. This shows that people are able to train themselves to be happy. Although the brain directs thoughts, feelings and behaviour, individuals are also able to control these feelings that alter the way people live a happier life (Spoors et al 2011, p36). Although this is said happiness is also a genetic predisposition of displaying particular characteristics positive or negative which is inherited. Babies display this straight from birth through forming attachments. Depending on the effects of relationships either childhood or adulthood can also have an effect on brain activity. However, Davidson may have showed that people are able to help themselves; happiness also depends on chemicals going through the brain and body. People need consistent source of food and oxygen; certain chemicals can regulate moods. A good source is carbohydrates which provides enough sugar in the blood and therefore stabilises the energy levels which in turn stabilises mood. When people do not eat a healthy balanced diet they are more likely to become depressed or anxious. This is due to the lack of chemicals which the brain partially relies on. Judith Wurtman (1996, as cited in Spoors et al 2011, p33) was the director of the Women’s health programme had shown a connection between a low diet in carbohydrates and low levels of Serotonin (a neurotransmitter that promotes feelings of happiness and satisfaction). When people did a ‘crash’ diet by not getting enough of the right chemicals in their body their serotonin levels were low which would cause the depression and other negative outcomes. So this shows a healthy lifestyle can make a person happier which would then show increase in activity at the front of the left side of the brain. To conclude, happiness is a result of both external and internal influences. External influences change our perception and help us cope better with situations. ‘Nature’ (genetics) and ‘nurture’ (environment) contribute to people’s level of happiness. Although internal influences shows that it is possible to control the brain in thoughts, feelings and behaviours of people to be happy, like meditation. So it seems through the evidence provided that external and internal factors both mediate one another . In the words of Richard Layard (2005, cited in Spoors et al, 2011, p155) “Happiness comes from outside and from within. The two are not in contradiction.” Word count: 1089 References Spoors, P., Dyer, E.W., Finlay, L. and Marsh, G. (2011) Starting with Psychology, Milton Keynes, The Open University. Christine Bussey Y183 EMA Task 1, part B 1. My learning skills have improved with the structure of my essay by using the structure plan and by trying different note taking strategies which helped me to form the structure plan and write my essay. I have also learnt where and how to put references in throughout the essay, which I was unsure about at the beginning. 2. One of my strengths is being able to take notes throughout the essay and structure the essay plan now and also able to know where to write in my references in my work. I am also able to select relevant evidence from the book to use in the essay. My weakness is not being able to link paragraphs to each other as well and to use more psychological words. Also to be more organised and organise my time more effectively to study. 3. To improve a specific learning skill I need to concentrate more on the essay and to make sure I understand the question fully. To ensure that I give myself enough time and to follow a study timetable. To always ask my tutor if I am unsure about anything. Word count :- 190