Abstract
Psychologists typically conceptualize a good life either in terms of hedonic (e.g. life satisfaction, positive affect) or eudaimonic well-being (e.g. meaning, fulfillment of potential). In the current research, we explored another form of a good life: the psychologically rich life. In Study 1, we conducted a 14-day daily diary study (N = 203). In Study 2, we compared Chinese studying in the United States (N = 97) with Chinese studying in China (N = 169). In Study 3, we conducted a 12-week weekly survey study among Americans studying abroad (N = 43) and Americans studying in the United States (N = 100). In Study 4, we recruited students who had studied abroad (N = 84) and their friends (informants) who did not (N = 76). Study 1 showed that participants who scored higher in a psychologically rich life were more likely to take a short trip during the 14-day period. In Studies 2 to 4, those who studied abroad reported higher levels of a psychologically rich life than those who did not. Unusual experiences such as study abroad were consistently associated with higher levels of psychological richness, whereas they were not consistently associated with life satisfaction, positive affect, and meaning in life.
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