Illinois Featured Content

  • Social comparisons with similar people determine income's effect on happiness

    Apr 13, 2021 10:45 am by Sharita ForrestResearch
    Sociology professor and head Tim Liao. Photo courtesy Tim Liao

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    • Sociology professor and head Tim Liao. Photo courtesy Tim Liao

    The ability to compare ourselves with people of similar backgrounds, both people who earn more and others who earn less, determines how our income affects our happiness – not the absolute amount we earn.