**1.2 Comparison theory**

This theory sees happiness as the result of cognitive comparison with standards of the good life. One variant of this theory focuses on comparison with other people; the 'reference group' and holds that we are happier the more we think to be better off. In that view, a general improvement in living conditions in the country will not make us any happier, because the reference groups get also better. A proponent of this theory is Richard Easterlin [1] who maintains that economic growth does not improve happiness as 'the rising tide lifts all boats'. Another variant of comparison theory focuses on comparison with aspirations which tend to rise when income rises, leaving us equally happy as before [2, 3]. Several of these variants are combined in Michalos's [4] theory that happiness results from 'multiple discrepancies'.
