Alex Gibbs

Professor Jizi
UWRT 1102
23 February 2016

Double Entry Journal

Citation:
Dan Gilbert. The surprising science of happiness

Source: Quote (Page# or Paragraph #)

Responses

It turns out when brains triple in size, they

don't just get three times bigger; they gain
new structures. (0:41)

It seems that it was an evolutionary

advantage to have a larger brain and gain
new structures is a benefit of that

One of the most important things it does is

an experience simulator (1:06)

This is a really need aspect of our minds. I

can see how it can be possible since it is
possible for us to imagine things

Impact bias," which is the tendency for the

simulator to work badly. For the simulator to
make you believe that different
outcomes are more different than in fact
they really are. (3:04)

I personally have experienced this myself. I

can attest to the thought of different outcomes
being preferred in my mind.

Happiness can be synthesized (4:07)

This would explain why people are so willing

to accept that their choice was the better
option even if they had the same outcome

Synthetic happiness is what we make when

we don't get what we wanted (8:37)

Well, I must have a lot of it then.

We did this experiment with a group of

patients who had anterograde amnesia.

It really shows that know what choice you

made has no effect on the happiness created

(11:05)

in the mind.

Because the [reversible] condition is not

conducive to the synthesis of happiness.
(17:28)

Wondering about the other choice instead of

accepting the choice that was made more
than likely plays a huge part in the lack of
synthetic happiness.

Our longings and our worries are both to

some degree overblown (20:15)

If this is true, then we really should reevaluate

our goals and anxieties and make sure that
they are realistic. I know, in my mind, Ive
blown some things out of proportion.