Hsee’s Happiness Heuristics

Compiling research from psychologists and economists (including colleague Richard Thaler), Professor Hsee provides tips on how to make the people around you—employees, significant others, friends, relatives—happy.

1. Separate gains.
   Combine losses.
2. Announce good news early.
   Announce bad news late.
3. Unpredictable gains are better than stable gains.
   Stable losses are better than unpredictable losses.
4. Choice is bad for good options,
   good for bad options.
5. Wanted is better than needed.
   Memorable is better than usable.

Details in The University of Chicago Magazine.

— Prof. Christopher K. Hsee
Chicago Booth