easterlin

With several recent studies challenging his conclusions, Professor Easterlin set out to see if the pattern still exists.

This contrast became the most famous example of a theory known as the Easterlin paradox.

The combined effect appears to have been "stagnation or, at best, mild improvement in life expectancy, " Mr. Easterlin has written.

If we care only about our place in society, the pattern Easterlin discovered in the data is readily explained.

Easterlin's findings, challenge psychologist Abraham Maslow's "hierarchy of wants" as a reliable guide to future human motivation .

Easterlin concedes that richer people are more likely to report themselves as being happy than poorer people are.

Just last week Easterlin published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science an update on his famous paper.

Another is recognition of the truth of the Easterlin paradox.

But not everyone is so quick to dismiss Easterlin's work, which has survived careful scrutiny over the years.

Richard Easterlin wrote a paper back in the 1970s showing that increased income doesn't correlate with increased happiness.

If this fact has ever made you squeamish , then you may have taken comfort from the Easterlin Paradox.

Easterlin says this gap comes from frustration over an inability to get married.

Well back in 1974 something called the Easterlin Paradox answered this question.

Prof Easterlin, who has seen the paper, said his paradox still stood.

"Score that one for Easterlin, " says Justin Wolfers.