Publications
Publications
- 2021
- Journal of Positive Psychology
The Ordinary Concept of a Meaningful Life: The Role of Subjective and Objective Factors in ThirdPerson Attributions of Meaning
By: Michael Prinzing, Julian De Freitas and Barbara L. Fredrickson
Abstract
The desire for a meaningful life is ubiquitous, yet the ordinary concept of a meaningful life is poorly
understood. Across six experiments (total N = 2,539), we investigated whether third-person
attributions of meaning depend on the psychological states an agent experiences (feelings of
interest, engagement, and fulfillment), or on the objective conditions of their life (e.g., their effects
on others). Studies 1a–b found that laypeople think subjective and objective factors contribute
independently to the meaningfulness of a person’s life. Studies 2a–b found that positive mental
states are thought to make a life more meaningful, even if derived from senseless activities (e.g.,
hand-copying the dictionary). Studies 3a–b found that agents engaged in morally bad activities are
not thought to have meaningful lives, even if they feel fulfilled. In short, both an agents’ subjective
mental states and objective impact on the world affect how meaningful their lives appear.
Citation
Prinzing, Michael, Julian De Freitas, and Barbara L. Fredrickson. "The Ordinary Concept of a Meaningful Life: The Role of Subjective and Objective Factors in ThirdPerson Attributions of Meaning." Journal of Positive Psychology (in press).
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