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The Quiet Ego and Human Flourishing

Author

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  • Jack J. Bauer

    (University of Dayton)

  • Kiersten J. Weatherbie

    (University of Dayton)

Abstract

The quiet ego interprets the self and others by balancing concerns for their welfare and cultivating their growth (Bauer and Wayment, in: Wayment, Bauer (eds) Transcending self-interest: psychological explorations of the quiet ego, American Psychological Association Books, Washington, DC, 2008). A growing body of research shows that the Quiet Ego Scale (QES; Wayment et al. in J Happiness Stud 16:999–1033, 2015a, Front Psychol 6:1–11, 2015b) relates to numerous measures of human flourishing. The present three studies of college students and adults situate the quiet ego within a framework of value orientation and actualization that organizes constructs of human flourishing in terms of motives (including moral motives), well-being (as hedonic satisfaction and eudaimonic meaningfulness, including moral fulfillment), and wisdom (Bauer in The transformative self: personal growth, narrative identity, and the good life, Oxford University Press, New York, 2021). Results from samples of college students and adults suggest that the QES corresponds to: (1) mainly humanistic and eudaimonic (including moral) motives; (2) hedonic and especially eudaimonic well-being (including moral fulfillment); and (3) motives, well-being, and wisdom independently. The discussion considers the quiet ego in terms of Epicurean ataraxia and Buddhist upekkha, a model of a good life that, like the quiet ego, emphasizes equanimity.

Suggested Citation

  • Jack J. Bauer & Kiersten J. Weatherbie, 2023. "The Quiet Ego and Human Flourishing," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(8), pages 2499-2530, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:24:y:2023:i:8:d:10.1007_s10902-023-00689-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-023-00689-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Guanyu Liu & Linda M. Isbell & Michael J. Constantino & Bernhard Leidner, 2022. "Quiet Ego Intervention Enhances Flourishing by Increasing Quiet Ego Characteristics and Trait Emotional Intelligence: A Randomized Experiment," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(7), pages 3605-3623, October.
    2. Heidi Wayment & Bill Wiist & Bruce Sullivan & Meghan Warren, 2011. "Doing and Being: Mindfulness, Health, and Quiet Ego Characteristics Among Buddhist Practitioners," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 12(4), pages 575-589, August.
    3. Heidi A. Wayment & Jack J. Bauer, 2018. "The Quiet Ego: Motives for Self-Other Balance and Growth in Relation to Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(3), pages 881-896, March.
    4. Veronika Huta & Alan Waterman, 2014. "Eudaimonia and Its Distinction from Hedonia: Developing a Classification and Terminology for Understanding Conceptual and Operational Definitions," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 15(6), pages 1425-1456, December.
    5. Jack Bauer & Dan McAdams & Jennifer Pals, 2008. "Narrative identity and eudaimonic well-being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 81-104, January.
    6. Guanyu Liu & Linda M. Isbell & Bernhard Leidner, 2022. "How Does the Quiet Ego Relate to Happiness? A Path Model Investigation of the Relations Between the Quiet Ego, Self-Concept Clarity, and Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 1007-1020, March.
    7. Veronika Huta & Richard Ryan, 2010. "Pursuing Pleasure or Virtue: The Differential and Overlapping Well-Being Benefits of Hedonic and Eudaimonic Motives," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 11(6), pages 735-762, December.
    8. Heidi Wayment & Jack Bauer & Kateryna Sylaska, 2015. "The Quiet Ego Scale: Measuring the Compassionate Self-Identity," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(4), pages 999-1033, August.
    9. Carol Ryff & Burton Singer, 2008. "Know Thyself and Become What You Are: A Eudaimonic Approach to Psychological Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 13-39, January.
    10. Judith Glück & Nic M. Weststrate & Andreas Scherpf, 2022. "Looking Beyond Linear: A Closer Examination of the Relationship Between Wisdom and Wellbeing," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(7), pages 3285-3313, October.
    11. Guanyu Liu & Linda M. Isbell & Bernhard Leidner, 2021. "Quiet Ego and Subjective Well-Being: The Role of Emotional Intelligence and Mindfulness," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(6), pages 2599-2619, August.
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