Life in Three Dimensions: Happiness, Meaning, and Psychological Richness
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Psychology professor Shige Oishi presents research distinguishing three dimensions of a good life: happiness (positive emotions and satisfaction), meaning (contributing to others and society), and psychological richness (diverse, novel experiences that broaden perspective and build wisdom). While happiness and meaning correlate strongly, psychological richness—driven by curiosity, openness to experience, and stepping outside comfort zones—operates differently and may be pursued independently based on individual values and goals.
Key takeaways
- Happiness, meaning, and psychological richness are three distinct but often correlated dimensions of a good life, each with different predictors and outcomes.
- Psychological richness results from novel experiences, intellectual exploration, and perspective-shifting encounters that challenge stereotypes and expand understanding of the world.
- Cultural definitions of happiness vary significantly; Americans tend to view happiness as an achievable personal success goal, while many other cultures see it as luck or fortune.
- Study abroad, meeting new people, artistic engagement, and service activities contribute strongly to psychological richness by creating diverse experiences and social connections.
- The ultimate goal is integrating all three dimensions—pursuing personal happiness, contributing meaningful service, and continuously exploring new experiences to develop wisdom.
About Shige OishiShige Oishi is a professor of psychology at the University of Chicago who received a Rotary International scholarship as a college student, which enabled him to study in the United States and fundamentally changed his career trajectory.
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Program: Life in Three Dimensions: Happiness, Meaning, and Psychological Richness
Speaker: Shige Oishi
We bring you a new program every week on innovation, entrepreneurship, and education and how they contribute to service to others.
What makes for a good life? Is it the simple, predictable pleasures we call happiness? Or can happiness lead to complacency and regret? Is the answer a deep sense of meaning and purpose? Or can a life of purpose invite narrow or misplaced loyalties?
Shige Oishi is the Marshall Field IV Professor of Psychology at the University of Chicago. He is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2021, he also received the Outstanding Achievement Award for Advancing Cultural Psychology from Society for Personality and Social Psychology. The Psychological Review paper on a psychologically rich life he co-authored with Erin Westgate received the 2022 Wegner Theoretical Innovation Prize. His research has been featured in major media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and The Financial Times.
Members and guests, please welcome Dr Shige Oishi!
To learn more, go to:
https://psychology.uchicago.edu/directory/Shigehiro-Oishi
To learn more about the Rotary eClub of Silicon Valley, go to:
http://rotary.cool
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