Social Scientists Tell Us That People Tend to Be Happiest

question 33

Essay

Social scientists tell us that people tend to be happiest when they have meaningful relationships in which they are actively engaged. This confirms the "Life as Relationships" viewpoint.   Aristotle writes that "friendship seems to be one of the features of the good life."   Explain what Aristotle means by this, and then describe your own experience of friendship. Be specific: focus on one or two examples. What makes them important to your life? How have friendships contributed to your sense of meaning?

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Definitions:

Variable-interval Schedule

A reinforcement schedule in operant conditioning where a response is rewarded after an unpredictable amount of time has passed.

Fixed-ratio Schedule

A reinforcement strategy in operant conditioning where a response is rewarded only after a specified number of correct responses.

Fixed-interval Schedule

A type of reinforcement schedule in operant conditioning where rewards are delivered at fixed intervals of time, as long as the correct response is made.

Secondary Reinforcers

Conditioned stimuli that acquire reinforcement value through their association with primary reinforcers.