In a recent analysis concluded, Ronald Inglehart has conducted a survey that aimed to measure the overall happiness. He found that Denmark, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Northern Ireland, Iceland, Switzerland, Ireland, Netherlands, Canada and Sweden were the top 10 happiest countries in the world. What is only briefly reported in the media is the method used. Inglehart has constructed an index based on two questions, which should reflect the happiness and life satisfaction: 1) "Taking all things together, would you say you are very happy, pretty happy, not very happy, not at all happy?" 2) "All things considered, how satisfied are you with your life as a whole these days? "This is not the first time Inglehart has attempted to answer the big questions, asking some questions. He is well known and much criticized for this, but as the research is time consuming and expensive, it would be difficult to ask more questions of what has been done in this study. Yet, it should be more widely talked about what this study really says, and if you should visit Denmark thought to be happier than you. The study clearly depends heavily on personal interpretation, but the cultural differences and social expectations may play a role. The interpretation of the questions can vary from person to person, both within countries and across borders. What does "very happy" mean, and how do I decide if I am very happy or somewhat happy? I have probably been too unhappy, but I was not too happy or not happy? And how do I make all things together, especially with someone on the phone asking me to do it - and fast. I get confused when trying to make sense now, but in a short time, Inglehart expects me to sum it all up in my life and make sure everything is great, and so I need to decide which of these he told me if I am.But called and asked me, I would respond, and I want quick response. And so would everyone else - without thinking much about it. But while this question is a question easy to answer, it is obvious that the answer given is correct. And it is even more difficult when cultural differences are taken into count. How does someone interpret in Zimbabwe "very happy", and that the same interpretation that would give someone in Denmark? And people in Zimbabwe are used to being asked if they are very happy or somewhat happy? It makes sense for people who could not be used for the polls and those in the western part of the world? Even among countries considered to be similar, there may be differences. I believe that people in Denmark, Ireland and Northern Ireland are a bit 'like. They are all hot and may be more inclined to say I am very happy than people in other countries. Finland, on the other hand, is very different. The honest people are there, but could also be more moderate. And the restraint may also be higher in Sweden and Norway, which are traditionally social democratic countries, where moderation is seen as a virtue. Can the people in these countries is more likely to respond that they are quite happy? Social expectations may also be made more positive responses than they are. Of course, the researcher can be noted that the responses are anonymous and there are other things you can do to make the study more reliable, but a researcher can never remove all doubt. Could it be that the reason for the democratic countries in the top of the list is not because people are happy, but rather that people claim to be happy for the researcher, because they feel they should be happy. If you have a good job, money, friends, why do not you be happy? It should also be noted that Inglehart would have expected this, since there is a close connection between democracy and happiness. This conclusion is, of course, drawn on the basis of the study, but it could be that the study is designed so that democratic countries will finish on top? I do not know, but what I know is that I will visit Denmark soon. Maybe I should ask them if they are very happy or quite happy?
