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Would winning the lottery make you happier? - Raj Raghunathan

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  • 36,748 Questions Answered
  • TEDEd Animation

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Imagine winning a multi-million dollar lottery tomorrow. If you’re like many of us, you’d be ecstatic, unable to believe your good luck. But would that joy still be there a few years later? Raj Raghunathan describes a phenomenon called hedonic adaptation, which may shed light on the answer.


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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Raj Raghunathan
  • Director Allen Laseter
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Animator Allen Laseter
  • Designer Allen Laseter
  • Sound Designer Wes Slover
  • Composer Wes Slover
  • Associate Producer Jessica Ruby
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
Additional Resources for you to Explore
This Think Tank video about winning the lottery also brings up some interesting points. Watch it and see what you think about the discussion. What would your reaction be if you won the lottery?

Read this article, A Classic Psychology Study on Why Winning the Lottery Won’t Make You Happier discusses this lesson and the hedonic treadmill, to learn more about this topic.

So, you don’t truly believe that winning all that money won’t make you happier? Read some winner’s stories here: Here’s How Winning the Lottery Makes You Miserable. Finally, peruse this BBC article: Does winning the lottery make you happy?

Can money truly buy happiness? Maybe, when it is spent on other people! Watch this TED Talk to find out more: How to buy happiness. In case you would like more ideas about what can potentially make you happier, here is a list of TED talks on the topic:  What makes you happy?

What if you DO win the lottery? What next? Click here and find out more from a financial advisor. For more advice if you do win that lottery, this article is a great place to start: You Just Won the Lottery. Now Here’s What You Do: Nothing.

Generosity has a way of making everyone feel better. Read: Be generous: It's a simple way to stay healthier!
5 Ways Giving Is Good for You is also another great read. Learn more about how giving makes you feel good and get busy.

Customize this lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Raj Raghunathan
  • Director Allen Laseter
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Animator Allen Laseter
  • Designer Allen Laseter
  • Sound Designer Wes Slover
  • Composer Wes Slover
  • Associate Producer Jessica Ruby
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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