the experiment on 200 (lucky) volunteers – Corriere.it

Does money bring happiness? Everyone has their own opinion on the matter, science has the task of trying to offer firm points. For example, the survey by Purdue University, in Indiana, is famous, which in 2018 set the ideal salary at 95 thousand dollars (77 thousand euros, at the exchange rate of the time) to achieve the maximum degree of individual satisfaction. Now returning to the topic were two researchers from the Department of Psychology of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver (Canada) named Ryan J. Dwyer and Elizabeth W. Dunn. In a study published last month in the authoritative journal Pnas and entitled Wealth redistribution promotes happiness (The redistribution of wealth favors happiness) have in fact wanted to find out how far to receive 10 thousand dollars (over 9,500 euros, at current exchange rates) contributes to increasing the happiness of a number of individuals from different backgrounds. To do this they have used the generous support of two wealthy donors who have given 2 million dollars to 200 people from three low-income countries (Indonesia, Kenya and Brazil) and four high-income countries (US, UK, Canada and Australia). After which they asked the latter to spend the entire amount received within three months and by fill out a series of questionnaires aimed precisely at quantifying, as far as possible, their exact degree of happiness over time.

The results

Cross-referencing the answers provided by the (lucky) participants and comparing them with those received from a control group composed of 100 individuals to whom not even a cent was assigned, the results of the survey were in fact those imagined: thanks to the 10,000 dollars, people in low-income countries were three times happier than those in high-income countries And those who earn $10,000 a year were twice as happy as those earning $100,000. Only those with incomes above $123,000 a year had no detectable benefits. Not bad if we consider that, as pointed out by the authors, 99% of individuals earn less than this figure even in a high-income country like the United States. This is why, according to the parameters used by Dwyer and Dunn, overall general life satisfaction increased by an average of 0.36 points for those who received the money (moreover remaining at very high levels even three months after the conclusion of the study, as indicated in the graph below), while decreased by 0.16 points for those who donated it.

The conclusions

By multiplying these two values ​​by the number of components of the relative populations, the calculation is easily done: Redistributing wealth has provided a about 225 times higher life satisfaction (72 points, or 0.36 x 200, ed) compared to leaving it concentrated in the hands of two wealthy individuals (0.32 points, or 0.16 x 2, ed). In other words, these results – the researchers point out – suggest that money transfers could benefit a vast majority of the world’s population. A conclusion that can only be read as a heartfelt appeal to one greater economic equality: My greatest hope for this study – said Dunn to the microphones of Market Watch – that people copy it, that they think it’s something they can do. You don’t need 2 million dollars, even a much smaller sum can make a difference.