Lay Theories for Life Satisfaction and the Belief that Life Gets Better and Better

Abstract

Many individuals believe that life gets better and better over time. To examine the sources and significance of such beliefs, we examined lay theories for life satisfaction (LS) in relation to individuals' beliefs concerning how their LS was unfolding over time. Two studies were conducted with online participants: one correlational (Study 1; N = 320, M age = 30.39, 55% male), the other experimental (Study 2; N = 321, M age = 30.46, 53% male). In both studies more incremental (vs. entity) lay theories were associated with more steeply inclining subjective trajectories for LS. Furthermore, both sets of beliefs had unique effects on individuals' goal-striving toward a brighter future life, as well as psychological adjustment (self-efficacy, hope, optimism, positive affect, negative affect). Thus, lay theories and subjective trajectories for LS share a common assumption concerning change in life satisfaction over time. And each set of beliefs plays a unique role in positive functioning.

MTurk participants have substantially lower evaluative subjective well-being than other survey participants

“…To address these concerns, we searched the literature through PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases for studies with the following criteria: 1) assessing subjective wellbeing with the Cantril Ladder and 2) among participants from an MTurk population. Two studies met those criteria (Busseri & Samani, 2018;Whillans et al, 2017). The study of Busseri and Samani (2018) investigated lay theories for life satisfaction and reported the following Ladder scores in two MTurk samples: Study 1, N=320, 5.98 (SD=2.27); Study 2, N=321, 6.09 (SD=2.15).…”

“…Two studies met those criteria (Busseri & Samani, 2018;Whillans et al, 2017). The study of Busseri and Samani (2018) investigated lay theories for life satisfaction and reported the following Ladder scores in two MTurk samples: Study 1, N=320, 5.98 (SD=2.27); Study 2, N=321, 6.09 (SD=2.15). Those scores are higher than the scores of our MTurk sample, but lower than the scores observed in the UAS and Gallup samples.…”

“…Finally, we performed a literature search for other studies measuring subjective well-being with the Ladder in the MTurk population. We were able to locate two studies (Busseri & Samani, 2018;Whillans, Dunn, Smeets, Bekkers, & Norton, 2017), one of which had administered the Ladder in MTurk and two other samples (Whillans et al, 2017), allowing for a replication of the difference in Ladder scores.…”

The impact of better‐ Versus worse‐than‐average comparisons on beliefs about how life satisfaction is unfolding over time, affect, and motivation

“…Studies have also identified important implications of holding such beliefs. Greater (vs. lesser) perceived improvement from one's recollected past to current LS is linked with various indicators of adaptive functioning, including more positive mental, physical, and interpersonal functioning (Busseri et al, 2009a(Busseri et al, , 2009b(Busseri et al, , 2012Busseri & Merrick, 2016;Busseri & Peck, 2015;Choma et al, 2014); and more effective self-regulation and goal pursuit (Busseri & Samani, 2019;Conway, 2005;Sutin & Robins, 2008). Such findings are consistent with temporal self-appraisal theory (Wilson & Ross, 2001; see also, Peetz & Wilson, 2008), according to which individuals are willing to derogate their past selves in order to enhance (or maintain) their current self-regard.…”

“…Participants' general motivation for the future and their perceived likelihood of achieving specific future plans were measured separately (following measures employed by Busseri & Samani, 2019).…”