The ability to pursue hedonic goals and its consequences for well-being

Project 6: The ability to pursue hedonic goals and its consequences for well-being

Self-control enables people to focus their behavior on important, long-term goals (e.g. go running to stay fit) and to protect them from the influence of conflicting, hedonic goals (e.g. relaxing on the couch). Research has shown that this ability has many positive consequences and is, for instance, positively related to well-being. But also the successful pursuit of hedonic goals can be difficult and can be disturbed by conflicting, long-term goals (e.g. in the form of intrusive thoughts). To investigate this hypothesis, we developed a scale to measure the ability to pursue hedonic goals. In addition to the underlying mechanisms of this ability, we are interested in consequences in the areas of well-being, health and performance.

Dr. Katharina Bernecker, UZH

Dr. Daniela Becker, Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien, Germany