hedonic adaptation

Syllable breakdown

Dictionary meaning

the psychological process by which people rapidly return to a relatively stable level of subjective wellbeing following major positive or negative life events, despite initially strong emotional reactions; also called the hedonic treadmill because people continuously pursue happiness-producing goals only to find that achievement quickly becomes the new normal rather than a lasting source of satisfaction; explains why lottery winners and people who suffer severe disabilities tend to return to near-baseline happiness levels within months; has significant implications for consumer behaviour, the psychology of materialism, and the design of social policies aimed at increasing wellbeing