Appelberg 1

Corinne Appelberg
Ms. Deby Jizi
UWRT-1102-009
9 February 2016

Double Entry Journal

Citation: Parfitt, Matthew. Pursuing Happiness: A Bedford Spotlight Reader. Place

of Publication Not Identified: Bedford Bks St Martin's, 2015. Print.

Source: Quote (Page# or Paragraph #)

Responses

And the importance of positive mood and

affect balance as an ingredients of a good
life. (Pg. 267, paragraph 1)

I believe that a positive mood plays a huge

role as an aspect to a good life.

We should expect to find cultural

differences in the extent to which people are
averse to happiness because of the
negative conditions it can cause. (Pg.268,
paragraph 3)

While reading these cultural differences, I

was somewhat baffled to why some cultures
are the way they are.

Furthermore, in a qualitative study, Uchida

and Kitayama found that Japanese
participants believed that happiness could
lead to negative consequences because
happiness made them inattentive to their
surroundings. (Pg. 269, paragraph 2)

In this study, I think the negative

consequence it reveals, is a great
representative of why happiness can be
negative.

Happiness and a glass vessel are most

easily shattered. (Pg. 269, paragraph 3)

I liked this quote, because I could visualize in

my mind, a glass vase shattering, along with
a devastated girl who is going through a
break up. The glass shatters quickly, just as
the girls heart shatters right when she
receives the devastating news.

Echoed by the Chinese proverb: extreme

happiness begets tragedy. (Pg. 270,
paragraph 1)

The Chinese proverb in the article left me

somewhat confused. I do see the
consequences of happiness, but I still think
that happiness is one of the most important
aspects of our lives, if not the most important.

Appelberg 2
Such individuals fear strong affective states
because they are concerned that they will
lose control over their emotions or their
behavioral reactions to emotions. (Pg. 270,
paragraph 2)

I can agree with this statement, for I lose my

emotions very easily and the fear of
experiencing tragedy or even extreme
happiness could trigger these emotions.

Avoid much laughter, for much laughter

deadens the heart. (Pg. 271, paragraph 4)

This quote made me think of a state of deep

depression. Without laughter, life would be
bland, while missing something so essential
to a good life.

But some people nevertheless worry that

happiness might preoccupy their minds,
leaving them little time for deep reflection on
important (e.g., political or religious) issues.
(Pg. 271, paragraph 3)

I agree, but I also think it is very important to

maintain a happy mindset. Sometimes it is
okay to be selfish and worry about just your
happiness.

We found evidence for the belief that

expressing happiness should be avoided in
many non-western and Western cultures.
(Pg. 273, paragraph 1)

After reading this, I really began to question

why they avoid expressing happiness. Even
when I read the reasons, I still think that the
expression of your emotions is important to
make you a happy and healthy person.

In Russia, the expression of happiness or

success is often perceived as inviting the ire
of the devil. (Pg. 274, paragraph 1)

I was shocked to have read this quote by

Russia. I think that is so overdramatized and
ridiculous. Without expressing my emotions, I
would be crazy!