Richard Layard Stated That 'Happiness Comes from Outside and Within'. Explain This Statement, Drawing on Evidence from Chapters 2 and 4 of the Module.

Task onePart A

Richard Layard stated that 'Happiness comes from outside and within'.

Explain this statement, drawing on evidence from Chapters 2 and 4 of the module.

Richard Layard stated that 'Happiness comes from outside and within'. To explain what Layard meant by this, we first need to clarify what is meant by the terms 'outside' and 'within'. To have happiness 'outside' is the interaction we have from external influences. Such as the relationships we have with family and friends, and the response to them that gives us a sense of wellbeing and happiness. Now to have happiness 'within' is the biological reactions that the brain has, when there are feelings of happiness. We will now look at evidence offered in Chapters 2 and 4. Which will offer a more detailed explanation to Layards' statement.

We will now first look at the evidence offered on an broader explanation of the term 'within'. Richard Davidson (et al 2000) (citied Spoors et al 2011) at the University of Wisconsin proposed that happy and unhappy brains show different brain activity in the areas linked to feelings of happiness. Davidson used a techique called EEG (Electroencephalograph). This is where electrodes are placed on the scalp. These electrodes then pick up electrical activity in parts of the brain. The information provided shows which parts of the brain are active. It then measures the increased activity when the brain is stimulated. From this research Davidson found that activity increased in the front of the brain, on the left hand side. When people were feeling positive and happy. Whereas when people were unhappy and negative, brain activity increased in the front of the brain, on the right hand side.

To further explain the differences in brain activity and feelings of happiness and unhappiness. Davidson worked with Jon Kabat-Zim (2003) (citied Spoors et al, 2011). They created