Happiness and the pursuit of happiness: A sociocybernetic approach

Abstract

Purpose

To provide a coherent theoretical framework for interdisciplinary research on happiness, integrating the psychological, physiological/biological, and social/cultural levels, permitting integration of disparate approaches within and across disciplines.

Design/methodology/approach

Principles and findings of cybernetics are combined to shed light on difficulties encountered by research on happiness. Using a problem‐oriented approach, the reference system is defined as a psychological information‐processing and decision‐making system. This is an actor system in the social world needing orientation to act. Bossel's systems theory of orientation is applied to emotionality as a subsystem of the psychological system. Happiness, in terms of orientation theory, can be conceived as a meta‐orientor indicating wholeness, health, and the functioning of the overall‐system.

Findings

Emotionality and rationality are complementary decision‐making systems. Conditions are identified for developing the capability for emotional orientation and happiness in individuals. These conditions are strongly dependent on the social/cultural environment. Among them are the need for diversity in real‐life experience and for psychological acceptance of both oneself and the (sociocultural) environment. They can permit (relative) stability of happiness defined as an emotional state.

Practical implications

Further research can produce methods to improve happiness both by coaching individuals and by developing social conditions more conducive to happiness, e.g. in education. Happiness is a subjective indicator for physical, psychological, and social wellbeing taken together, which is the definition of health of WHO.

Originality/value

This sociocybernetic approach, combining systems concepts with orientation theory, can serve as an integrative theoretical framework for so far separate theoretical approaches.

Citation

Hornung, B.R. (2006), "Happiness and the pursuit of happiness: A sociocybernetic approach", Kybernetes, Vol. 35 No. 3/4, pp. 323-346. https://doi.org/10.1108/03684920610653656