Test Your Level of Happiness With the Subjective Happiness Quiz

Jan. 10, 2008 — -- How do we become happy and where does happiness come from?

This week "20/20" is exploring the coveted emotion and introducing you to six theories about happiness, that feeling we all want to possess.

How happy do you consider yourself? Whether you think you're happy or you're convinced that you aren't, this quiz may yield some surprising answers.

Sonja Lyubomirsky, a professor at the University of California Riverside, developed this questionnaire several years ago. She has spent most of her career studying happiness, driven by the desire to know what makes people happy and how people can become happier.

For each of the following statements or questions, please click on the number from the scale that you think is most appropriate in describing you. Carefully take note of the labels, or anchors, for the 1 to 7 scales as they differ for each of the four items.

Be sure to write down your answers on a piece of paper because you will need to remember them for later.

1. On a scale of 1 (not a very happy person) to 7 (a very happy person), in general, I consider myself: CLICK HERE to choose your answer.

2. On a scale of 1 (less happy) to 7 (more happy), compared with most of my peers, I consider myself: CLICK HERE to choose your answer.

3. Some people are generally very happy. They enjoy life regardless of what is going on, getting the most out of everything. To what extent does this characterization describe you? CLICK HERE to choose your answer.

4. Some people are generally not very happy. Although they are not depressed, they never seem as happy as they might be. To what extent does this characterization describe you? CLICK HERE to choose your answer.

To calculate your score, add up your responses to each question and divide by four. The average happiness score runs from about 4.5 to 5.5. College students tend to score lower (averaging a bit below 5) than working adults and older, retired people (who average 5.6).