How Much Happiness?

www.lifehack.org

The larger question our group is researching is: what determines happiness and its affects on society?  My hypothesis is that the amount and quality of the things people have directly affect their happiness.  Recently I’ve been reading articles about different places in the world that are considered to be some of the happiest places on earth and it really makes me curious as to why.  It is often said that the more material things people have, the happier they are.  I am interested in either proving or disproving this stereotype through research of what actually makes people happy and if the things they have actually affect their happiness.

1. What types of things make people the happiest?
2. Are people more likely to be happy with more money or by spending their money on material goods?
3. Where are the happiest places on earth and why?
4. Does your physical image factor into this?