Why Being Conservative is Correlated with Higher Happiness

". . . conservatives do not report being happier because they are more advantaged; instead, a conservative who has the same social circumstances as a progressive is likelier to be happy."

Conservatives Report Greater Meaning in Life than Liberals

"Across five studies, conservatives reported more meaning and purpose in life than liberals at each reporting period . . . meaning in life was more closely related to social conservatism than economic conservatism."

Being Politically Conservative Doesn't Lead to Greater Happiness

". . . In this research, we showed that despite the plausibility of the theory stating that liberals and conservatives have different psychological profiles, conservatism does not predict well-being over time . . ."

Liberal Countries Have More Satisfied Citizens While Conservatives Are Happier Individuals, Study Finds

"People living in more liberal countries are happier on average than those in less liberal countries, but individually, conservatives are happier than liberals no matter where they live, according to a study of people in 16 Western European countries."

Who Is Happier: Liberals or Conservatives?

"We need to learn how to best measure happiness. People are using it to inform policy."

Conservatives are Happier, But Liberals Lead More Psychologically Rich Lives, Research Finds

"Psychological richness refers to a life filled with new, varied, and stimulating experiences that broaden one’s perspective."

Do you have a Duchenne Smile?

Interesting stuff, mac..

I'm an incurable sourpuss -- the kind of malcontent who'd find fault in Heaven . . .

"Why is it so bright in here?"

"Angel Food Cake?! I hate Angel Food Cake! I like Devil's Food Cake!"

"What the hel . . . heck are all these conservatives doing here?!"

"Hey! You! Get off of my cloud!"

. . . so I'll never be happy. Contentment is more meaningful and more important to me. As is psychological security . . . which is governed by my financial security.

I think you and I are more alike than we'd like to admit to ourselves, lol...

Where does the meaning of "ignorance is bliss" fit into this narrative?

Good point. On the one hand, conservatives may be happier, because they are more ignorant than liberals, but on the other hand, those conservatives who are not ignorant, have to put in a lot of work and energy in dealing with the large amount of cognitive dissonance they regularly are carrying and encountering, assuming they keep themselves informed on what's factually and really happening in the world, instead of just consuming Fox News and Repub Party propaganda...

My thought on the less ignorant or not ignorant cons is that they are not concerned with the cognitive dissonance because they are only using their talking points to lead the larger mass of ignorant MAGA anyway. They are not searchng for any kind of truth other than "what do I get out of it?" That is their only truth, so I suspect it's considered the required work to aquire and maintain control of a large voting block that goes their way. I think they even get off on it, viewing everyone that they either control or push aside if they can't control them to be the hapless cucks, unable to ignore or avoid their power. Pam Blondie for instance.

Very insightful and deep analysis. I agree, and never looked at it that cynically myself. Of course, with the power people in the right wing movement, you can never be too cynical about them... They seem to only value money and power, nothing else, esp. their religion they love to use as an instrument for control and shielding them from criticism... It makes a great false front for the Repub Party, THE LYIN' KING, and the Christian Nationalists...

How else to explain the immediate and consistantly completely wrong statements regarding the Renee Good and Alex Pretti murders as self defence moves AFTER we all saw the videos and heard the eye witness accounts, let alone the later deeper analysis of 3D imaging regarding imaginary (maybe I should say projected) viewpoints of the perp's positions in Renee's case?

Indeed. It was not only arrogant and cruel, but downright Orwellian, as in commanding you to ignore your own eyes and ears, as well as any basic humanity or decency....

15 hours ago, Rob said:

Where does the meaning of "ignorance is bliss" fit into this narrative?

indeed, if conservatives are "happier" than liberals an explanation could include them being pack animals who find comfort having clearly defined leaders and political and religious groups who do the thinking for them. Their tight knit circles of friends and family and news bubbles are reassuring. To empathize with all of humanity and life on earth can weigh heavily on the mind.

but the liberal upside i'll take any day of the week is the "Psychological richness of a life filled with new, varied, and stimulating experiences"

Yeah I mean it’s a matter of perspective, hate to put it this way, but it’s the only way I know the point will be understood, dogs seem blissfully ignorant as well, and “happier” overall but I wouldn’t want to be one.

I don't know about dogs being "blissfully ignorant." I don't know about dogs being happier -- happier than who? Cats? Hamsters? Goldfish? Weight-watchers? Lewis Black?

I'd ask God, but He'd probably give me a biased answer. Because, God spelled backwards is, you know . . .

What I do know is that I much prefer the company of dogs -- domesticated dogs (pet dogs) -- than I prefer the company of people, especially Conservatives. Dogs give their "masters" unconditional love, faithful loyalty and devotion, and unquestioning obedience.

Hmmm. Now that I think of it, Conservatives behave the same way. Score one for ScorchedEarthBagel!

A more fascinating, empirical question is . . .

Can dogs be Liberal or Conservative? Democrat or Republican?

Haha, but don’t forget to bit them harder.

A woman I used to date had an ex-husband that she shared custody of a dog with (don't ask, it was complicated, lol...), and the dog would bite him sometimes. She used to joke how the dog should bite him harder...

Oh, sounds like that dog knew exactly who needed a little reminder!

I think that dog, like many dogs, was a better judge of character than a lot of humans are...

Welcome to newBluePlanet, Karina! Thank you for contributions. I eagerly look forward to your future participation.

Regarding your picture:

Word on the street and 'round the kennel is that this b***** is on the Canines Hit List.

Cry "Kristi! . . ."

. . . and let slip the Doggies of War!

I will rejoice if the canine society gets some payback on her, lol... Since I like to believe in karma and I always support poetic justice... Keep up the twisted humor, mac...