Is culture a factor in how we view happiness?

Is culture a factor in how we view happiness?

Lynn Ianni (Psychotherapist) gives expert video advice on: How do you define happiness?; Does everyone have the ability to be happy?; What are the essential ingredients of happiness? and more...

I think that different cultures have different expectations about what they believe is the optimum level of happiness. And some cultures really teach survival because of where that nation is or where that culture is in those moments and in that time. So if they allow a person to really believe that happiness is within their grasp that culture has an opportunity to sort of instill that belief across the board. Some cultures really prize self sacrifice, some cultures prize altruism, some belief systems or religious theories. Everybody's philosophies is going to determine what they feel is their optimum level of happiness and what opportunity they have to actually attain it. So there are cultural factors that probably weigh in and as you independently try to figure out whether or not you are happy and what chance you have to increase your level of happiness, those cultural factors are going to play a part. The messages that you received from your family, from your environment, from your philosophy or religious belief system or cultural belief system are all going to be relevant. And those things are things that you need to explore, understand, analyze, take apart, and modify. Because if you want to change how you feel within and those things are factors that are creating the feelings that you actually have especially if there you cognitive frame work. You have to change the frame work in order for the picture to be different.