Foreign thinker
Sonja Lyubomirsky
Sonja LyubomirskyPositive PsychologyAmerican
Happiness is not out there for us to find. The reason is that happiness is inside us.
Life and Thought
Sonja Lyubomirsky is an American psychologist of Russian descent and Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside. She is considered one of the leading figures in positive psychology, with bestselling books such as "The How of Happiness" and "The Myths of Happiness." Her research shows that a significant portion of sustainable happiness can be increased through intentional activities like gratitude, kindness, and connection.
Sonja Lyubomirsky was born in Russia and later emigrated to the United States. She received her B.A. summa cum laude from Harvard University and her Ph.D. in Social/Personality Psychology from Stanford University. Since then, she has been teaching and conducting research at the University of California, Riverside, where she holds the title of Distinguished Professor.
Her main area of work is the science of happiness. Through experimental studies, Lyubomirsky has shown that about 40 percent of individual differences in happiness levels are attributable to intentional activities, and that happiness can be sustainably increased through practices such as expressing gratitude, performing acts of kindness, nurturing relationships, and managing comparative thoughts. Her famous "happiness pie chart" model separates the influence of genetics, life circumstances, and intentional activities.
Her major books, "The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want" and "The Myths of Happiness," have been translated into dozens of languages. She has received numerous awards, including the Diener Award, the Christopher Peterson Gold Medal, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Basel. Lyubomirsky lives in Santa Monica and continues to research happiness-enhancing interventions.
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