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Studies

Sears (1977): study US 1921 /1

Publication

Author(s):
Sears, R.R.
Title:
Sources of Life Satisfactions of the Terman Gifted Men.
Source:
American Psychologist, 1977, Vol. 32, 119 - 128

Investigation

Public
Gifted men (IQ>135), followed 50 years, California, USA, 1921-72
Sample
Non-probability purposive-quota sample
Respondents
N = 857
Non Response
Attrition in 1972: 25%
Assessment
Interview: face-to-face
Repeated interviews and questionnaires.

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

Full text:
Self report on 2 questions:         

A
"How important was each of the following goals in life in the plans you  made for yourself in early adulthood?"
-  
-  
-  joy in living  


4 of prime importance to me
3
2
1 less important to me than to most people

B.
"How successful have you been in the  pursuit of these goals?"
5  had excellent fortune in this respect
4
3
2
1  little satisfaction in this are

Computation:
Life satisfaction score = A * B - (A - B)
Maximal range 1-21

Computation:  General Satisfaction 5 is the quotient obtained by multiplying the planned goal (early adulthood) by the reported success in attaining that goal, adding the five of these multiplied areas and dividing them by the sum of the planned goals for each of the areas.

                Pa.Sa + Pb.Sb + Pc.Sc + Pd.Sd + Pe.Se
                -----------------------------------------------------------------
                            Pa + Pb + Pc + Pd + Pe
   Pa = planned goal a (1-5)
   Sa = success goal a (1-5)
Classification:
M-AC-h-mq-v-21-a
Author's label:
Computed life-satisfaction
Remarks:
Importance of joy in living in early adulthood rated retrospectively at age 62.
Though Ss had not held joy in living as amajor goal, they felt they hd a lot of it.
Page in publication:
121/122
Observed distribution
Summary Statistics
On original range 1 - 21 On range 0-10
Mean:
13.00 -
SD:
- -