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Korean Journal of Social and Personality Psychology

ISSN : 1229-0653

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Vol.18 No.3

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Happiness and the Eastern Concept of Bok : Similarities and Distinctions

Korean Journal of Social and Personality Psychology / Korean Journal of Social and Personality Psychology, (P)1229-0653;
2004, v.18 no.3, pp.115-125
Jisun Lee (Yonsei University)
Minyoung Kim (Yonsei University)
Eunkook Suh (Yonsei University)
Lee, J., Kim, M., & Suh, E. (2004). Happiness and the Eastern Concept of Bok : Similarities and Distinctions. Korean Journal of Social and Personality Psychology, 18(3), 115-125.

Abstract

The notion of "happiness" was compared with a conceptually overlapping Eastern concept of "bok" among 234 Korean college students and adults. Respondents nominated health and optimistic personality as essential conditions for both happiness and bok. However, distinctions were also found between the two concepts. Whereas internal attributes such as self-satisfaction was emphasized in characterizing a happy person, more socially-oriented features (e.g., high social status) were strongly linked with a person blessed with bok. Also, people who personally preferred bok over happiness(16% of the sample) were more likely to believe that happiness was ultimately determined by external, chance forces than by self-effort. Finally, those who emphasized the importance of personal effort in attaining happiness believed in the importance of having a positive inner state, and weighted this factor heavily in predictions of future happiness.

keywords
happiness, bok, subjective well-being, cultural difference
Submission Date
2004-09-03
Revised Date
Accepted Date

Korean Journal of Social and Personality Psychology

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