Is the modern obsession with happiness doing more harm than good? That question sat at the heart of this month’s Third Thursday event, where Dr Bruce Hood joined Kate Abbey of Bath Arts Collective for a sharp, thoughtful discussion on the psychology of happiness — and why we might need to shift how we think about it altogether.
Hood, a developmental psychologist at the University of Bristol, is known for his work on the illusion of self and his bestselling book The Science of Happiness. Rather than promising quick fixes, his research explores the mechanisms that drive — and disrupt — our sense of wellbeing.
We’re Built to Notice the Bad Stuff
One of Hood’s key points: humans are evolutionarily primed to focus on threat. Our negativity bias means we process bad news more quickly, remember criticism more vividly, and pay more attention to risk than reward. “It’s probably an evolved survival mechanism,” he explained. “But it’s not great for your day-to-day mood.”
Even when something good happens, our brains adapt quickly. That buzz from a new job, holiday, or compliment? It fades. “The brain normalises,” he said. “Which is great for learning — but not so helpful when you’re chasing lasting happiness.”
The Pursuit vs. the Practice
If happiness isn’t something we can hold onto, is it even worth trying? Hood doesn’t dismiss the pursuit outright — but he’s clear that change comes through consistent behaviour, not big revelations.
At Bristol, he teaches a popular course where students apply practical techniques like journaling, acts of kindness, and regular social connection. “We see a boost in wellbeing, usually around 15%,” he said. “But it only lasts if you keep doing it.”
His point: mental wellbeing, like physical fitness, requires ongoing effort. There’s no one-off fix.
Moving Beyond the Self
A central argument in Hood’s book is that the more we fixate on ourselves, the less likely we are to feel fulfilled. He encourages a shift from egocentric to allocentric thinking — focusing on others, not just ourselves.
Even simple language tweaks can help. Hood demonstrated how reframing a personal worry in the third person — “Bruce is stressed about this talk” instead of “I’m stressed” — can reduce emotional overload. “It’s a small trick, but surprisingly effective,” he said.
Comparison Is the Thief of Joy — Especially Online
Social media isn’t inherently harmful, Hood argued, but it amplifies one of our most unhelpful habits: comparing ourselves to others. “You compare your everyday to someone else’s highlight reel,” he said. “It’s not a fair fight.”
The result is a distorted sense of how well we’re doing. Better, he suggested, to compare yourself to where you were a year ago than to someone else entirely.
What Really Works? Time, Connection, and Small Shifts
There’s growing evidence that giving — particularly your time — has a longer-lasting impact on happiness than spending money on yourself. “Time is more valuable than money,” Hood said. “It’s what people want more of, and what they remember.”
Activities like volunteering, joining a sports club, or simply talking to someone new all contribute more meaningfully to wellbeing than self-focused strategies. “And don’t underestimate journaling,” he added. “Writing things down can give clarity, perspective, and even proof that things do get better.”
So… Is Happiness the Wrong Goal?
One audience member asked whether chasing happiness might actually be the problem. Hood agreed. “Happiness is transient. Satisfaction might be a better word,” he said. “I’m more interested in how we avoid becoming unhappy — and that often comes down to how we interpret and react to life, not the life itself.”
He closed with a reminder that the self is, in many ways, a construct. That might sound abstract — but there’s freedom in the idea that identity is fluid. “Don’t blame yourself for everything,” he said. “Context matters. We’re all works in progress.”
