Happiness, habits and high rank: Comparisons in economic and social life

Pre-print, Working paper: The role of money in producing sustained subjective well-being seems to be seriously compromised by social comparisons and habituation. But does that necessarily mean that we would be better off doing something else instead? This paper suggests that the phenomena of comparison and habituation are actually found in a variety of economic and social activities, rendering conclusions regarding well-being policy less straightforward.

Author(s)

Andrew E. Clark

Date of publication
  • 2008
Keywords JEL
D01 D31 H00 I31 J12 J28
Internal reference
  • PSE Working Papers n°2008-61
Version
  • 1