幸福感的稳态与跃迁:一个新的整合视角

Homeostasis and transition of well-being:A new integrative perspective

以往的实证和理论研究对幸福感稳定性与变化性问题持有不同观点。设定点理论认为幸福感通常保持在设定点位置,动态平衡理论(及其变式——主观幸福感稳态理论)进一步强调幸福感在围绕设定点的某个范围内波动而呈动态平衡状态,享乐适应理论在动态平衡理论基础上从情绪适应的角度分析了幸福感维持稳定的原因,这三个理论均强调幸福感维持在某个平衡水平。相反,持续幸福理论强调幸福感是可以提升的,能发生长期的变化。这些理论观点的差异本质在于如何看待幸福感的稳定性与变化性,我们借用生物学中的“稳态”“稳态应激”概念及物理学中的“跃迁”思想,认为幸福感不仅存在稳态,也会出现稳态应激,并可由此引起幸福感稳态的跃升。这一整合视角为幸福感研究提供了新的解释框架,也对幸福感的持续提升有启发意义。

Previous empirical and theoretical studies hold different views on the stability and variability of well-being(or subjective well-being).Set-point theory holds that well-being usually remains at a set-point,and dynamic equilibrium theory(and its variant—subjective well-being homeostasis theory)further emphasizes that well-being fluctuates in a dynamic equilibrium state within a certain set-point range.Similarly,hedonic adaptation theory considers the reasons for the stability of well-being from the perspective of emotional adaptation based on dynamic equilibrium theory.In sum,all three theories focus on how a certain equilibrium level of well-being is maintained.In contrast,sustainable happiness theory emphasizes that well-being can be improved and can undergo long-term changes.The essence of the difference between these theoretical perspectives lies in how the stability and variability of well-being are viewed.On the basis of the concepts of homeostasis and allostasis in biology and the concept of transition in physics,we believe that well-being has not only homeostasis,but also allostasis which can cause well-being homeostasis to adjust.This integrated perspective provides a new explanation framework for well-being research and has enlightening implications for the continuous improvement of well-being.