Authors and thinkers
Author

Daniel Gilbert

6 key ideas, each explained in our own words.

Stumbling on Happiness

  1. IDEA 1

    We are bad at predicting feelings

    People misjudge how happy or unhappy future events will make them. We overestimate both the joy of wins and the pain of losses.

  2. IDEA 2

    Imagination fills in gaps

    When we picture the future, the brain fills missing details without telling us. The imagined event feels complete but is mostly invented.

  3. IDEA 3

    Presentism

    We project today's feelings onto the future. Shopping hungry is the classic example.

All 6 ideas from Stumbling on Happiness →

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