**5. Happiness as a result of higher-order processes: evidence from psychopathology and cognitive behavioral therapy**

Two main theories of happiness and higher-order cognitive processes can be found in the literature (**Figure 1**). They are associated with specific definitions of happiness. The first definition is underpinned by the *eudaimonia* theory of happiness. It defines happiness as psychological wellbeing. Psychological well-being refers to the development and realization of potential, as well as the conditions of optimal living and their effects [60]. The second definition is underpinned by the hedonic theory of happiness. It defines happiness as subjective well-being. Subjective well-being consists of both a cognitive component and an affective component [97, 104]. Cognitive component refers to cognitive evaluation of life satisfaction [104–107]. Affective component is related to the experience and maximization of positive affects and avoidance and alleviation of negative affects. Situations and events eliciting pleasure and positive affect are important in happiness emergence [104–107]. The frequency of positive experiences is a greater predictor of happiness than the intensity of the felt emotion [106]. However, such a bottom-up pathway is incomplete to explain the emergence of happiness (**Figure 2**).
