Many philosophers have long presented happiness as a complex phenomenon that has been difficult to define. Different perspectives have been discussed as central to the idea of wellbeing and thus several different concepts of happiness have been presented. When different ideas have been presented regarding the components of a happy life, the idea of tranquility has in several cases been disputed. This paper is conducted in the field of well-being to study the role of tranquility in happiness. This is done by answering the question: Is tranquility acomponent of a happy life? In exploring this research question, the three main well-being theories in the field of happiness will be presented. These theories are hedonism, the objective-list theory, and the desire theory. It is evident through the study that tranquility is a part of all three welfare theories. However, the role of tranquility is varied within the different theories. In hedonism, tranquility is described as the ultimate form of pleasure - what we seek. In objective-list theory, tranquility becomes a metric for assessing the impact of other factors on well-being. Finally, we see that in desire theory, tranquility is the state of not crossing the threshold of attitudes. According to well-being theories, it appears that tranquility enables or creates an enjoyable state. Thus, it becomes clear that tranquility has a positive impact on people. Through this, a conclusion can be presented where tranquility is part of a happy life.

Kan lycka köpas för pengar? Prosocialt spenderande och lycka är ett nytt ämne inom forskning och har ännu inte studerats i Sverige. Föreliggande studie syftar till att utreda om prosocialt spenderande bidrar till en ökad grad av upplevd lycka hos studenter vilket tidigare forskning stödjer samt om det föreligger könsskillnader gällande prosocialt spenderande och upplevd lycka vilket inte forskningen stödjer inom området. Etthundratre personal- och arbetslivsstuderande varav 72 kvinnor och 31 män vid ett medelstort universitet i södra Sverige deltog. Ett randomiserat post-test-only experiment utfördes varav 51 deltagare utgjorde experimentgrupp och genomförde en intervention som innebar att de skänkte pengar till välgörenhet och 52 deltagare genomförde ett kognitivt test som kontrolluppgift. Efteråt uppmättes deltagarnas upplevda lycka med Subjective Happiness Scale. Statistisk prövning med tvåvägs-ANOVA visade ingen statistiskt signifikant skillnad mellan experiment och kontrollgrupp gällande upplevd lycka, vidare fanns inga skillnader mellan könen gällande upplevd lycka och prosocialt spenderande. Studiens resultat stöds inte av tidigare forskning. Studiens diskussion föreslår att vidare forskning inom området fokuserar på design och metodval. Storleken på summan som spenderas prosocialt påverkar troligen effekten gällande lycka i större utsträckning än vad som antagits. En undre gräns för att gynna lycka diskuteras. Relation till den som individen spenderar prosocialt på diskuteras och tros också påverka upplevd lycka. / Can happiness be bought with money? Prosocial spending and happiness is a new field within science and has yet to be studied in Sweden. The present study aims to investigate whether prosocial spending contributes to an increased level of happiness amongst students which previous research supports and also whether sexdifferences within prosocial spending and percieved happiness exists which current research does not support. One-hundred and three undergraduates of whom 72 were women and 31 men within a human resource and management-program participated, all studying at a medium-sized university in southern Sweden. A randomized post-test-only experiment was conducted in which 51 participants carried out a task where they were instructed to donate money to charity (experimental group) and 52 participants were instructed to complete a cognitive task (control group). Subsequently the participants levels of happiness were measured using the Subjective Happiness Scale. Statistical testing using a two-way ANOVA showed no statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups regarding happiness, furthermore there were no sex differences regarding happiness and prosocial spending. The results of the present study are contradictory with previous research. The discussion of the present study suggests emphasis on method and design for further studies within the area. The amount of money spent prosocially is likely to have a greater impact on happiness than the present study presumed. A lower limit to promote happiness is discussed. Furthermore the relation between the individual who is prosocially spending and the recipient is discussed and is likely to have an impact on perceived happiness.

Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur fysisk aktivitet påverkar lycka. Studien baseras på tvärsnittsdata för år 2014 och omfattar 19 Europeiska länder. Data kommer från The European Social Survey och den beroende variabeln är individens självuppskattade lycka. Modellen utgår från Grossman-modellen där fysisk aktivitet ses som en insatsfaktor i produktionen av hälsa och hälsa i sin tur är en del av nyttofunktionen. Modellen estimeras i tre versioner med både ordnad probit och minsta kvadrat-metoden. En version estimeras med en interaktionsterm för att analysera hur fysisk aktivitet och hälsa samvarierar och påverkar lycka. Resultaten visar att fysisk aktivitet har en positiv effekt på lycka. Fysisk aktivitet har både en direkt och en indirekt effekt på lycka genom efterfrågan på hälsa. Interaktionstermen visar att fysisk aktivitet och hälsa samvarierar. Den positiva effekten av fysisk aktivitet är som störst för individer med dålig hälsostatus.

Vad blir vi lyckliga av? Ett exmensarbete som genom betraktelser skapat illustrationspar. En av illustrationerna i paret visar vad reklamen säger oss, vill få oss att känna och handla, den andra illustrationen visar hur vi kan ha det i stället genom lyckliga stunder. För lycka ligger inte i reklamens påhittade konsumtionsvärld, utan inom oss själva. I vår egna personliga upplevelse av lycka. / What makes us happy? This bechelor project consist of illustrated pair of images. One of the illustrations shows what the advertisement tells us, wants us to feel and act, the other illustration shows how we can have it instead through happy moments. For happiness dwells not in the imaginary consumtion world of advertising, but within ourselves. In our own personal experience of happiness. / <p>Examensarbetet har tre bilagor.</p><p>Bilaga1 Tidigare arbete "Att sprida budskap"</p><p>Bilaga 2 Broschyren "nu"</p><p>Bilaga 3 Vykort</p>

Syftet med uppsatsen är att få en förståelse för hur studenter upplever och reflekterar kring lycka i förhållande till den kontext som studentlivet innebär. Frågeställningarna för uppsatsen är: Hur reflekterar studenter kring livstillfredsställelsen i relation till studentlivet? Hur reflekterar studenter kring deras subjektiva välbefinnande i relation till studentlivet?, Vad kan ha betydelse för studenternas lycka under studietiden. Lycka i uppsatsen har definierats utifrån två begrepp. Ett känslomässigt begrepp i form av subjektivt välbefinnande, och ett kognitivt begrepp i form av livstillfredställelse. Det genomfördes sex reflexiva intervjuer med studenter från olika utbildningsprogram på Umeå Universitet. Uppsatsen har en kvalitativ ansats, där analysen genomfördes enligt Graneheims och Lundmans innehållsanalys. Ur analysen framkom tre centrala teman som grundar sig på studenternas uppfattningar kring vad som har betydelse för deras lycka under studietiden. Dessa teman var personlig utveckling, trygghet och hälsa med tillhörande kategorier och underkategorier. Uppsatsen påvisar att studenter upplever en stor personlig utveckling under sina studieår, exempelvis beskrivs den i form av en mognad, att studenterna upplever att de blivit mer tillfreds med sig själva. Trygghet kommer till uttryck i form av ekonomiska förutsättningar som exempelvis CSN. Svenska studenter har minst lärarledd tid i Europa och därav ställs ett stort ansvar på studenterna att de ska disponera sin tid på ett värdefullt sätt. Sociala relationer beskrivs av studenterna som en trygghetsfaktor i form av det stöd det ger studenterna under stressfulla perioder. Under temat hälsa påvisas att studenter utsätts för olika krav som skapar en påtaglig stress i deras vardag. Studenterna betonar att den mest påtagliga stressen kommer från de inre krav som de ställer på sig själva under sin studietid

<p>The main purpose of this study was to examine how people who have felt mentally bad, describe their subjective experience of what leads to a mental well-being. The overall research questions were; <em>how does the individual define mental well-being</em>, <em>how does the individual describe the turning-point during her tough period</em>, and <em>in what way does the individual consider that her own effort has influenced her well-being</em>? In order to answer these questions, qualitative research interviews were conducted with persons who’ve felt mentally bad and who’ve got some kind of professional help, and who think that they have a mental well-being today. The empirical material was analyzed from a theoretical resilience perspective. The study’s result showed first of all, that there are different ways to define well-being. The most significant factors to achieve well-being, seemed to be positive, quality relations and a supportive social network. This appeared to be strengthening and creates resilience. Other factors that appeared to be strengthening for the development of resilience and well-being, are for example high self-esteem and competence. The result also showed that professional help seemed to have been important. Risk-factors that were found in the study are for example an unfavourable childhood environment, insecurity and early unhealthy relations. The study indicated that resilience in individuals can have different strength.</p>

<p>People with positive affect seem to have great advantages in life. Goal achievement, the main cause of well-being for all organisms, seem to be a typical trait of these people. The purpose of this study was to examine (i) what influences positive affect, (ii) the relation between positive affect and goal achievement, and (iii) characteristics of individuals with positive and negative affect. Five individuals with self-rated positive affect and two with negative were interviewed. The responses were classified in fifteen themes. Results showed that positive and negative individuals differed regarding over life time personality type; level of energy, a secure childhood; the base of self-esteem, and attitude. Depending on attitude the informants considered themselves self-fulfilled or not. The factors determining positive affect is in agreement with Lyubomirsky´s theory of primary factors for chronic happiness level. In conclusion, primarily a secure childhood seem to have a significant impact on self-esteem and self-fulfilment, which is the core factor of well-being.</p>

People with positive affect seem to have great advantages in life. Goal achievement, the main cause of well-being for all organisms, seem to be a typical trait of these people. The purpose of this study was to examine (i) what influences positive affect, (ii) the relation between positive affect and goal achievement, and (iii) characteristics of individuals with positive and negative affect. Five individuals with self-rated positive affect and two with negative were interviewed. The responses were classified in fifteen themes. Results showed that positive and negative individuals differed regarding over life time personality type; level of energy, a secure childhood; the base of self-esteem, and attitude. Depending on attitude the informants considered themselves self-fulfilled or not. The factors determining positive affect is in agreement with Lyubomirsky´s theory of primary factors for chronic happiness level. In conclusion, primarily a secure childhood seem to have a significant impact on self-esteem and self-fulfilment, which is the core factor of well-being.

Men and women in advertising - a study of the ads in the magazines Café and Elle is an essay in media and communication studies covering 15hp. The author examines what is considered masculinity and femininity in a variety of advertisements, and which products are linked to masculinity and femininity. Besides this, the author also examines the production of happiness, and how this may differ between men and women. Although stereotypes, myths and metaphors are examined. The essay is examined on the basis of gender theory, and theories about stereotypes and myths. This is examined by using both a less extensive quantitative approach and a more detailed qualitative method. Semiotics is the qualitative method used, which include denotation and connotation that is used as some of the tools. The result of the study shows that masculinity and femininity is something that is separate from each other. Different stereotypes, myths and metaphors could also be found in the material. One of the conclusions is that while masculinity seems to be something that is associated with doing something, femininity seems to be something that is associated with being something. Also happiness is something that differs between men and women.

I denna studie har vi sökt svara på frågan angående hur unga kvinnor ser på sig själva och sin roll i samhället. Detta har gjorts utifrån frågeställningar om hur unga kvinnor resonerar kring framtiden, genus och självbild. Datainsamlingen utfördes med hjälp av metoden fokusgrupp. I fokusgruppen deltog sex unga kvinnor i åldrarna 17 till 23 som på olika sätt varit i kontakt med organisationen Mamita Sthlm, en organisation som fokuserar på personlig utveckling med hjälp av bland annat yoga och samtalsterapi. Vi kom i kontakt med dessa informanter genom Cristina Tscherning som är en terapeut på Mamita och som vi har varit i kontakt med sedan tidigare. Analysen av fynden har gjorts utifrån Judith Butlers genusteori och Michel Foucaults teori om makt och diskurs. De upptäckter vi har gjort visar att informanterna upprätthåller och reproducerar könsmaktsordningen och de maktstrukturer som konstruerats och konstrueras i samhället. De mest frekventa och framstående samtalsämnen som uppkom under intervjun var den stress som härstammar från känslan av att vilja förbereda sig för vilka olika vägar livet kan ta samt stressen av att känna sig tvungen att behöva dra nytta av de möjligheter som erbjuds unga kvinnor idag.