Social Orientation Predicted by Subjective Happiness more than Satisfaction with LifeRobert Evans, Evan Hunter, & Harry Wallace

Trinity University, San Antonio, TX, SPSP 2015

INTRODUCTION

Despite clear conceptual differences between the Subjective Happiness Scale and the Satisfaction with life Scale, few noteworthy differences in what these scales predict have emerged in studies that have used both measures. In light of the high correlation between these scales, one might conclude that they are essentially interchangeable. However, the present research demonstrates that these scales are not equivalent for predicting certain facets of social orientation. Specifically, subjective happiness appears to be more relevant to social orientation than satisfaction with life.

Our initial recognition of social orientation differences between subjective happiness and satisfaction with life was serendipitous. After noticing the pattern in one study that included measures of subjective happiness, satisfaction with life, extraversion, and agreeability, we analyzed other datasets we had previously collected and found the same relationships (Studies 1-5, as described here). Study 6 was designed to test whether the pattern extended to an expanded set of measures of social orientation.

CONCLUSIONS & DISCUSSIONMeta-Analysis of Studies 1-5:

The positive correlation between the Satisfaction with Life Scale and measures of extraversion and agreeableness was attributable to subjective happiness

Study 6:

The observed relationship between social orientation and happiness measures in Studies 1-5 extends to measures of social anxiety and preference for solitude

This relationship did not extend to social curiosity, which is more closely related to openness to experience than agreeableness or extraversion

Implications and Future Directions:

Findings highlight a previously undetected element of differentiation between the Subjective Happiness and Satisfaction with Life Scales

Additional research is needed to test possible theoretical explanations for the present findings (e.g., does the contentment implied by life satisfaction make relationships less of a priority?)

METHODParticipants: N = 847 for studies 1-5: Studies 1-3 recruited from Trinity University (n = 438) Remaining two studies utilized MTURK program (n = 409)

N = 188 for Study 6 (all recruited through MTURK)

Scales of Measurement used in Studies 1-5 Subjective Happiness Scale (Lyubomirsky & Lepper, 1999) Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener et al., 1995) Extraversion and agreeableness portions of the Ten-Item Personality

Inventory (Gosling et al., 2003)

Scales of Measurement used in Study 6 Subjective Happiness & Satisfaction with Life Scales Expanded measures of extraversion and agreeableness (Benet-

Martinez & John, 1998) Social anxiety subscale from Self-consciousness Scale (Scheier &

Carver, 1985) Preference for Solitude Scale (Burger, 1995) Modified version of the Curiosity and Exploration Inventory

(Kashdan et al., 2009)

MEDIATION ANALYSES (STUDY 6)

Stats = correlation coefficients* Denotes significance at .05 level

Subjective Happiness: Zero-Order

Subjective Happiness: Partial

(controlling for Satisfaction with

Life)

Satisfaction with Life: Zero-Order

Satisfaction with Life: Partial

(controlling for Subjective Happiness)

Extraversion .54* .39* .42* .02

Agreeableness .36* .20* .31* .07

Social Anxiety -.45* -.31* -.36* -.02

Preference for Solitude -.40* -.23* -.35* -.07

Social Curiosity .38* .19* .37* .17

MEDIATION ANALYSES (META-ANALYSIS OF STUDIES 1-5)

EXTRAVERSION

AGREEABLENESS

Subjective Happiness

Satisfaction with Life

Extraversion

Partial r = .35*

r = .42* Satisfaction with Life

Subjective Happiness

Extraversionr = .25*

Partial r = -.02

Satisfaction with Life

Agreeableness

Partial r = .27*

r = .33* Satisfaction with Life

Subjective Happiness

Agreeablenessr = .22*

Partial r = -.02

Subjective Happiness

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