CAROLINE AVERY AND MADDIE MILLS In Control and Glad of It!

Background Need to control: human nature Loss of control: anxiety, anger, outrage, etc. Happier with power to choose Old age: can’t make decisions for oneself Langer and Rodin  Nursing home: more control, improved behavior

Experiment Arden House  Similar physical/psychological health, socioeconomic background, age Message  4 th Floor: care for themselves, decide how spend their time  2 nd Floor: home wants to make lives more interesting Measure Outcomes  2 questionnaires  Attendance of movie  Jelly beans in jar

Findings/Conclusions 4 th Floor: Happier, more active, “improved condition”, alert, etc. More responsibility and decision making power, lives/attitudes improve Returned 18 months, long-term effects

Historical Significance Power of control has effects on happiness and health, short and long-term Applicable Increase behavioral choice (personal and that of others)

Controversy Unethical: well-being of participants  Only 15% of 4 th floor participants passed away  30% of 2 nd floor participants passed away

Recent Applications Krampe (2003):  Study of depression  lack of perceived freedom and personal choice predictors of depression Iyengar & Lepper (2000):  Limited choices, versus a much wider variety (ie. 6 vs. 30)  Less choices, but still having options is better

Conclusion/Significance Personal power and control affect happiness and healthiness  Increasing role of behavior helps one live happier and healthier Growing awareness can help make hospitals, nursing homes, and other institution settings require increased choice and personal power