PSY/220
I believe that when researchers say the paradox of affluence, they mean to ask, “Does economic development improve the human lot?” The answer is an obvious no. American’s are becoming totally consumed in materialistic things. This is because of how much our wealth has increased and so that makes our purchasing of consumer products rise. Not to mention the effects that growing wealth has on our happiness, mental health, and overall life satisfaction. Only 30% of Americans say they are very happy according to national surveys, depression shows the most dramatic increase, and there is more suffering from mental disorders and emotional distress since the increase in wealth.