APA shows once again that they just don't get it

[ShibbOleth]

The American Psychological Association has once more proved that they just don’t get it by coming down against happiness:

Originally from a USA Today article

It has been well documented that happy adults tend to live longer, make more friends and do better at work. But the most happy college students aren’t as conscientious as moodier classmates, Diener’s studies show. “The ‘10s’ in happiness may spend more time at the bars, dancing and drinking,” he speculates.

In worldwide studies, moderately happy adults usually earn more money than the most satisfied. “Maybe it’s a motivation thing,” Diener says.

So, the people who are most happy spend more time having fun? Those bastards! They should really spend more time working and being more conscientious, according to the APA. Of course, it nevers says why they should do that.
Disclaimer: this could all be a result of shoddy journalism standards at USA Today. The USA Today staffers probably spend more time out partying than their Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Washington Post counterparts. Bastards!

[sunfish]

Well, the article does close by saying:

Shifts in happiness levels give a person vital feedback about himself and the world, much as a gas gauge is needed in cars, says University of Virginia psychologist Gerald Clore. Those who are constantly happy “may have a broken gauge,” Clore says, “and it’s not serving them well.”

So the perpetually happy may be totally clueless. Who knows?

In any event, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight one of those journals that always seemed a little too… fluffy and esoteric to take seriously: The Journal of Happiness Studies.

[Hal_Briston]

Summarized:

USA Today: Ignorance Is Bliss!

[lieu]

You know what they say about men with happy feet.

[Frank]

@sunfish

So the perpetually happy may be totally clueless.

Of course. I’ve been saying that for years.