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High status for all? Cheating the zero-sum mechanism of happiness

Author

Listed:
  • Igor Galochkin

    (Moscow Institute of International Relations)

Abstract

We state the following hypotheses: 1) Happiness depends on social rank – a term from primatology meaning the place in group hierarchy which determines mating chances, number of offspring and food share; this dependence explains the correlation between relative income and subjective well-being in humans. 2) There are mechanisms of cheating the ranks, which boost happiness of all. 3) Intelligence is a happiness- boosting tool, which should be more developed by low-rank individuals. We report the results of a series of queries, which support hypotheses 1) and 2) and leave 3) unclear.

Suggested Citation

  • Igor Galochkin, 2005. "High status for all? Cheating the zero-sum mechanism of happiness," Microeconomics 0501001, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:wpa:wuwpmi:0501001
    Note: Type of Document - pdf; pages: 9
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    subjective well-being; happiness; social rank; relative income; intelligence; zero-sum; utility; sexual success; leadership;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D1 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior
    • D2 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations
    • D3 - Microeconomics - - Distribution
    • D4 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design

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