Hedonic Treadmill

28/03/2025 6 min

Listen "Hedonic Treadmill"

Episode Synopsis

We discuss hedonic treadmill, a psychological theory suggesting that despite significant life events, happiness levels tend to revert to a baseline. It details the theory's origins, mechanisms (including hedonic adaptation, desensitisation, and sensitisation), and criticisms, highlighting that individual differences and certain pursuits (like eudaimonic well-being) may circumvent this effect. The text also examines the implications for happiness and well-being, offering strategies to mitigate the treadmill's impact and achieve more lasting satisfaction. Case studies on post-trauma behaviour and romantic relationships illustrate the theory's real-world applications.

More episodes of the podcast Behavioural Science Explained