How to Answer Initial Post Points Questions (Complete Guide)

This type of question evaluates analytical and critical thinking skills.

What This Question Is About

This question relates to initial post points and requires a structured academic response.

How to Approach This Question

Use appropriate theories and support your answer with clear reasoning.

Key Explanation

This topic involves initial post points. A strong answer should include explanation, application, and examples.

Original Question

Initial post = 5 points Replies to others = 2 pts. each x2 Total points possible = 9. Chapter 5 is the longest chapter in the book, so give yourself time to read it. It has A LOT in it! Some of Merson’s notes on this chapter In the very important section “The Happiness Formula,” Haidt refers to a famous “happiness formula” that psychologists have been studying and modifying over the years: H = S + C + V which means Happiness = your Set point of happiness (the temperament you got at birth; see Chapter 2) + your external Conditions + your Voluntary activities (which includes your choices of work, lifestyle, and thinking) Then he discusses conditions (C’s) that science has identified as impactful on happiness. The most important–it seems to me–are conditions that cause shame and your relationships to people. In the final section of the Chapter, “The Happiness Hypothesis Reconsidered,” Haidt criticizes the idea of “detachment,” the idea that we can achieve happiness by not getting hung up on things outside of us (“C” things) by focusing entirely on how we think about things (internal “V” choices). That is, he doesn’t accept the idea that happiness can be found only “within” ourselves. He concludes that happiness comes from both within AND without (bottom of page 105). He’ll give more evidence of this idea in the next chapter, where he argues human happiness requires at least one loving relationship with another person. Put yet another way, he thinks you can’t remove “C” from the happiness formula. You can be a great Buddhist monk, with beautiful control of all your “V” in the formula; nevertheless, some “C’s” DO matter. Outside sources to understand Haidt I’m aware that some students use web sources to help them understand Haidt’s book. I prefer you push yourself to learn how to read his difficult text, but I understand that some of these ideas are very challenging. Just be careful using those sites. Some of them summarize incorrectly or misleadingly. If you quote them or use an original idea from them, you need to cite the source or else risk plagiarism. What to Write Please answer A – E, below, thoughtfully. I understand that some ideas can be confusing. If you work hard for a while on one of these questions (re-reading the chapter) but still feel confused, it’s OK to say so in your write-up. Just explain what you are confused about so people can help! A. What is the Progress Principle? Put the idea in your own words first. Then give us a good quote from the book that helps explain it (and cite the page number). B. What is the Adaptation Principle? Put the idea in your own words first. Then give us a good quote from the book that helps explain it (and cite the page number). The idea is a little complicated, so take your time on it. C. In your opinion, how important do you think wealth and poverty are to happiness? Do you think it’s harder to be happy if you’re poor? There’s no “right” answer here. I am just curious what you think. Here’s an easy-to-miss quote from Haidt on this topic from the section of Chapter 5 called “An Early Happiness Hypothesis”: The most widely reported conclusion, from surveys done by psychologist Ed Diener, is that within any given country, at the lowest end of the income scale money does buy happiness: People who worry every day about paying for food and shelter report significantly less well-being than those who don’t. But once you are freed from basic needs and have entered the middle class, the relationship between wealth and happiness becomes smaller. The rich are happier on average than the middle class, but only by a little. (Haidt 88) (I put the one bold sentence in bold type for emphasis.) D. The section “Finding Flow” discusses more details about the “V” section of the formula. What big “V” actions/choices does this section recommend we do? Include in your summary what Haidt says about pleasures, gratifications, and flow. E. What is some aspect of happiness that you think is important but that the book hasn’t mentioned yet? Does this aspect of happiness strike you as a Condition (“C”) or Voluntary activity “V”—or something else? Haidt will propose changing the H=S+C+V “formula” in Chapter 11. But before we get there, I wonder if you think there’s some element of happiness that’s important.

******CLICK ORDER NOW BELOW AND OUR WRITERS WILL WRITE AN ANSWER TO THIS ASSIGNMENT OR ANY OTHER ASSIGNMENT, DISCUSSION, ESSAY, HOMEWORK OR QUESTION YOU MAY HAVE. OUR PAPERS ARE PLAGIARISM FREE*******."