What percentage of our feelings of well-being is within our control?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

When evaluating how much of our feelings of well-being we can influence, consider what research and practical psychology suggest about control over happiness and well-being.
Option 1: 35%. This answer is close to some rough guesses but typically not aligned with common empirical summaries that separate controllable vs. uncontrollable factors; it understates the commonly cited portion by a small margin and may reflect different interpretations of what counts as controllable.
Option 2: 25%. This figure underestimates the portion of well-being that individuals can influence through daily choices, habits, and mindsets, such as exercise, sleep, gratitude, and social connections. It risks portraying control as mostly external or minimal.
Option 3: 40%. This option aligns with widely cited estimates suggesting that roughly two-fifths of well-being is within an individual's control, leaving the rest influenced by genetics, life circumstances, and other factors beyond deliberate control. It captures the idea of meaningful, actionable influence without overstating precision.
Option 4: 60%. This overstates personal control by implying that the majority of well-being can be engineered by personal effort alone, discounts the impact of genetics and unavoidable external conditions, and may set unrealistic expectations.
Option 5: 10%. This figure dramatically underestimates the role of intentional actions, habits, and perspectives in shaping well-being, implying near-total passivity in the face of mental states and life events.
Overall, the reasoning behind selecting 40% as the portion within personal control rests on a balanced view that acknowledges substantial influence through proactive practices, while recognizing that a significant portion remains outside personal control due to genetic and environmental factors.

Accelerated ELL Writing The How of Happiness Quiz: Chapter 10

What percentage of our feelings of well-being is within our control?

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