Does owning the latest iPhone, designer dress or expensive shoes really make you happy? It's an age-old question, but one psychologist(心理学家) thinks he might have the answer.
Dr. Thomas Gilovich, psychology professor at Cornell University, has studied the topic for over 20 years. According to Dr. Gilovich, "We buy things to make us happy, and we succeed, but only for a while. New things are exciting to us at first, but then we adapt tothem." In other words, once the excitement of our newest buying wears off, we begin looking for something else to buy to make us happy.
Dr. Gilovich found that our satisfaction with possessions (物品) fades over time. Yet our happiness over things we've experienced increases. For that reason, he noted that we are spending our money on the wrong things.
A study out of San Francisco State University agrees. The research showed that those people who spent money on experiences instead of possessions were happier. They also thought their money was better invested(投资).
Why experiences are the better investment? " A trip, adventure, or hobby is more likely to bring people closer together and unite them over a shared interest," According to Gilovich. As a result, these experiences typically create a positive link and good feelings toward the other person or people.
Also, your experiences become a part of you. You might be someone who loves taking cooking lessons. More than likely, you'll become known by friends and family as a great cook. They won't know you as someone who owns the latest kitchen equipment.
Moreover, experiences provide lasting memories. Planned experiences are always something we expect. Then when the moment arrives, if we enjoy ourselves in the activity, we're left with beautiful memories. These memories will often last a lifetime. Even our worst trips, on many occasions, are later remembered with laughter.
Most of us have limited resources. Why not spend them on things that will make the greatest influence on our lives—meaningful experiences?
