Shifting adaptation levels occurs when a person experiences a shift in what is perceived as a 'neutral' stimulus, but maintains sensitivity to stimulus differences. Frederick and Lowenstein classify three types of processes in hedonic adaptation: shifting adaptation levels, desensitization, and sensitization. This reorientation functions to protect against complacency, but also to accept unchangeable circumstances, and redirect efforts towards more effective goals. In the case of hedonics, the sensitization or desensitization to circumstances or environment can redirect motivation. The hedonic treadmill functions similarly to most adaptations that serve to protect and enhance perception. The idea of relative happiness had been around for decades when in 1978 Brickman, et al., began to approach hedonic pleasure within the framework of Helson's adaptation level theory, which holds that perception of stimulation is dependent upon comparison of former stimulations. 'Hedonic treadmill' is a term coined by Brickman and Campbell in their article, 'Hedonic Relativism and Planning the Good Society' (1971), describing the tendency of people to keep a fairly stable baseline level of happiness despite external events and fluctuations in demographic circumstances. Major theoretical approaches Behavioral/psychological approach The process of adaptation can also occur through the tendency of humans to construct elaborate rationales for considering themselves deprived through a process social theorist Gregg Easterbrook calls 'abundance denial'. Further, neurochemical processes desensitize overstimulated hedonic pathways in the brain, which possibly prevents persistently high levels of intense positive or negative feelings. Generally, the process involves cognitive changes, such as shifting values, goals, attention and interpretation of a situation. Hedonic adaptation can occur in a variety of ways.

The process of hedonic adaptation is often conceptualized as a treadmill, since no matter how hard one tries to gain an increase in happiness, one will remain in the same place. Generally, hedonic adaptation involves a happiness 'set point', whereby humans generally maintain a constant level of happiness throughout their lives, despite events that occur in their environment. Exploratory analyses suggested that interactions with close partners featured warmer and less shy behavior, and that participants who placed more importance on close relationships (as measured by high relational-interdependent self-construal) experienced more approval and authenticity in their interactions, particularly with distant partners.Īuthenticity ecological momentary assessment positive affect social approval social interaction.Hedonic adaptation is a process or mechanism that reduces the affective impact of emotional events. These findings suggest that social interactions with close others confer greater hedonic benefits relative to interactions with distant partners due to greater confidence in social approval and feelings of authenticity. This effect was mediated by perceived social approval and authenticity.

Analysis of 4,602 social interactions reported by 176 participants suggested that, relative to interactions with distant partners, interactions with close partners were characterized by more positive affect. The current research utilized ecological momentary assessment methodology to examine affective responses to interacting with close versus distant interaction partners during naturally occurring social interactions, and to test predictions regarding the mediating roles of perceived social approval and authenticity.

Hedonic benefits