[The Hedonic Treadmill] Can't you be happy even if you have more money?

In this episode, I will explain the phenomenon where 'making money your goal means you will never be satisfied' from the perspectives of cognitive science and psychology.

Why do the world's billionaires continue to chase more money even after accumulating trillions, or continue to feel distorted even after shifting their focus to philanthropy?

[The Hedonic Treadmill]

The mechanism by which happiness returns to baseline even when money increases

This is the idea that the sense of happiness from positive events is temporary, and the brain quickly adapts and returns to its original level of happiness.

[Brickman's Famous Study]

When comparing lottery winners to people who became paraplegic due to accidents, one year later, the happiness levels of both groups had returned to almost the same level!

Even if your income increases and your standard of living rises, the brain treats it as normal and begins to demand further increases.

[In terms of cognitive science]

The brain's reward system (dopamine circuit) is involved

Dopamine is released by new stimuli, creating pleasure, but if repeated, the brain becomes desensitized and cannot be satisfied.

As a result, you keep chasing new stimuli and it is never enough. This is truly an endless hell!

Research shows that the relationship between income and happiness increases up to a certain point (e.g., around 6.5 million yen per year), and after that, it levels off.

The reason rich people think 'I want more' is not greed, but a brain mechanism!

[Extrinsic Motivation vs. Intrinsic Motivation]

Why money goals don't last...

In self-determination theory, motivation is divided into extrinsic (for rewards or to avoid punishment) and intrinsic (because it is fun or meaningful in itself).

Money goals are entirely extrinsic!

Extrinsic motivation is strong in the short term, but once the reward is obtained, you become satisfied and get stuck in a cycle of seeking the next reward!

Intrinsic motivation is easier to sustain, and happiness remains stable in the long term!

The joy of increasing assets is fleeting...
But the anxiety of losing them is eternal!

The brain's loss aversion bias (such as the anxiety of losing money) works strongly, and because the pain of losing is felt more than twice as much as the joy of gaining, an obsession to 'increase it more' is born!

Does shifting toward charitable activities
really contribute to society?

The wealthy engaging in charity is just a strategy to escape from an endless hell!

Positive psychology has proven that contributing to others generates intrinsic satisfaction and has the effect of increasing happiness in the long term.

However, it becomes suspicious when charity becomes an extension of a money-based goal.

When tax incentives and image improvement are the contributions, influence is prioritized and social needs are ignored.

The Giving Pledge is a donation campaign founded by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett, yet only a small number of participants actually donate as promised.

While justifying it by saying, "I am doing this for society," there is a possibility that they are actually maintaining their power and honor.
As a result, it is not uncommon for charity to end up distorting society.

True wealth is
a goal other than money!

If you make money your goal, you get a double punch from the hedonic treadmill and extrinsic motivation, leading to an infinite loop of dissatisfaction!

The actions of the wealthy are just being driven by the mechanisms of the brain.
But if you stay there, you will never be satisfied.

The key to escaping is...
intrinsic and meaningful goals!

Psychological research also shows that people with a strong sense of purpose maintain high levels of happiness regardless of their income.
Let's look back and see if your goals are truly authentic to you. Money is a means, not an end. If you get that wrong, only an endless hell awaits!

I would be happy if this perspective helps you even a little with your goal setting.