Exploring the Science of Happiness Through Tellegen’s Framework

Arthur Brooks and Oprah Winfrey recently published a book, “Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier.” The book draws inspiration from the groundbreaking work developed by Dr. Auke Tellegen (PhD ‘62) during the 1980s at the University of Minnesota. Tellegen's work centered around the concepts of positive and negative affectivity from which he developed a framework that can be used outside of psychology to measure individual affectivity.

Throughout the book, Dr. Tellegen’s work and the U of M are prominently featured, underlining their significant contributions to the field and their enduring relevance in the pursuit of happiness and well-being. 

Composed by Madison Stromberg, communications assistant.