Happy workers are productive workers. So it should come as no surprise that companies are increasingly investing in training techniques to improve employee happiness. The question is whether these measures are effective.
New research published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology may have an answer. A team of scientists from Erasmus University analyzed the results of 61 happiness training studies published between 1972 and 2019. They found that 96% of the studies showed a gain in happiness after intervention and about half of the positive results were statistically significant.
Overall, the researchers estimate that such trainings increase people’s happiness by about 5%. To put that in context, the researchers note that getting married has also raised happiness by about 5% and becoming unemployed reduces happiness by 8%.
Then which techniques work best? More studies are needed to answer this question, but the researchers note that trainings like cognitive reframing work better. There’s also something to be said for exposing people to various types of trainings within a given course. For instance, the researchers found that happiness courses that trained employees on several techniques instead of just one were more effective. They also found that voluntary participation contributed to training effectiveness. This suggests that organizations would be wise to make such courses available to employees rather than force them to.
In addition, the researchers also highlight the difficulties. Sometimes chasing happiness can also lead to unintended negative emotions. Besides, genetic factor can be difficult for environmental interventions to overcome.
Still, the researchers regard happiness training as advisable both for individuals to look for a more satisfying life and for organizations to have more productive workers.
19. In paragraph 3, the researchers show the significance of happiness training by
.
A.giving explanation | B.making a comparison |
C.introducing a concept | D.referring to another study |
20. According to the passage, happiness training might work better if
.
A.workers are given more reward | B.the courses focus on one technique |
C.workers are willing to participate in it | D.the courses provide interesting activities |
21. What is the researchers’ attitude towards happiness training?
A.Favorable. | B.Uncertain. | C.Doubtful. | D.Disapproving. |
22. Which of the following is the best title for the text?
A.Are Workers Really Happy? | B.Is Happiness Training Effective? |
C.Why Does Happiness Training Count? | D.How to Increase Employees’ Happiness? |