Conclusion: What We Have Learned and Where We Go Next

Abstract

Several broad conclusions can be drawn from the articles presented in this volume. First, there are some universals or near universals in terms of the causes of happi- ness, but there are also influences that seem specific to different cultures. Second, it appears that for emotional well-being, people around the globe tend to be above neutral unless they live in dire circumstances. Third, the measures of well-being are valid across cultures, but there are biases that can lower the validity of measures, and these biases can vary in different cultures. In the following, I review several conclusions that I draw from the literature on well-being and culture.