INCREASING HAPPINESS

The Happy Tech Lab investigates established topics in positive and social psychology, focusing on skill-based approaches to boosting happiness. One such program, a 12-week intervention called ENHANCE, was tested in a six-month randomized controlled trial with 154 healthy adults and demonstrated lasting improvements in subjective well-being. Building on these findings, the lab collaborated with the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley to develop the Greater Good in Action (GGIA) website, which offers free “happiness courses” to a large and diverse audience. By randomly assigning users to different interventions, researchers gain a clearer understanding of who benefits most and why—shedding light on how such programs can be refined and tailored for maximum impact. Most recently, the lab introduced a Digital Well-Being Module on the GGIA site, examining how strategies like “digital detox” before bed can further support mental health.

Figure 3. Subjective well-being across waves and conditions with standard error bars. ENHANCE= Enduring Happiness and Continued Self-Enhancement.

Subjective well-being and health behaviors in 2.5 million Americans.

Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being 2019