APS
2026 APS Annual Convention · 2026
Happier Than Ever: Longitudinal Evidence for Past-Degrading Tendency Among Happy People
- Emily Hong
University of Southampton, UK - Incheol Choi
Seoul National University - Sumin Jung
Seoul National University
Abstract
We propose a past-degrading tendency (PDT), whereby happy people remember their past life satisfaction as lower than their present. Across four longitudinal studies (N = 1,353), PDT was robust and stronger among happier individuals, even controlling for actual change and recall accuracy, suggesting motivated reconstruction supporting a positive, improving self-identity.
