Happiness set to sweep Britain like a virus

Published on Thursday 30 July 2009 22:13

BRITAIN could be a happier place next week, thanks to a unique psychological experiment aimed at spreading smiles around the country.

For five days, starting on Monday, thousands of people will be invited to go online and try one of four proven mood-boosting techniques.

The idea is to plant seeds of happiness, which then "infect" others, sending waves of cheerfulness across recession-hit Britain.

Polls conducted before and after the experiment will assess whether it has worked.

Professor Richard Wiseman, who is leading the study, has high hopes that it will, if enough people participate.

Prof Wiseman, from the University of Hertfordshire, said:

"Whether or not it will work depends on how many people take part. I've no idea what the tipping point is. Potentially, in somewhere like London, which is densely populated, you might find people smiling a lot more. It's a mad idea but it might just work."

For the experiment to succeed, at least 10,000 people need to take part, said Prof Wiseman, adding: "We're hoping for more than that."

From Monday, anyone can join in the study at www. ScienceOfHappiness.co.uk. Participants will rate their mood and be randomly assigned to one of four groups.

People in each group will be shown a video describing one of four commonly used techniques for enhancing happiness.

One involves simply forcing a smile in response to everyday cues, such as making a cup of tea, while another calls for small acts of kindness, such as paying someone a compliment, or donating money to the homeless.

In the third technique, the person expresses gratitude for some "lucky" aspect of their life. The fourth method is to think about one thing that went well the previous day.