Status, Power and Felicity

Abstract

Status and power are the main concepts of a general theory of social relations in which a large class of emotions results from outcomes of social interaction as described in status and power terms. Here the theory is elaborated to account for feelings of felicity or happiness in each of four possible relational outcomes: (1) Obtaining status; (2) According status to another; (3) Gaining power; and (4) Other’s power declining. Each of these relational outcomes provides a basis for feelings of happiness. Status-power theory also affords an understanding of meaningfulness, a frequently sought goal for life undertakings.