Workshop for Public Service Officers "Subjective Well-Being and Public Policy" by the Behavioural Sciences Institute
by Professor David Chan
Director, Behavioural Sciences Institute (BSI), Professor of Psychology,
Singapore Management University
1430pm – 1730pm, SMU
In the United Nations reporting system, there has been increasing concerns that objective measures such as the GDP and HDI may not be sufficient or even adequate as aggregate measures of citizens’ well-being such as their level of life satisfaction and happiness. As subjective well-being is correlated with or predictive of the individual’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, it is important that public policy makers and organisational leaders have a good grasp of the research on happiness and wellbeing.
This workshop will examine well-being at different levels of analysis (the nation, the group or team, individual) and discuss the complexities in the conceptualization and measurement of well-being in scientific research. Professor Chan will provide a brief summary of a report that he co-authored with 5 other researchers on an international committee (including Nobel Laureate Daniel Kahneman) and submitted to the United Nations on measures of national well-being across countries. Several studies conducted in Singapore will be discussed to illustrate important issues on well-being. Drawing on scientific research, Professor Chan will highlight how various cognitive biases (negativity bias, defensive pessimism), situational judgment effectiveness and associated behaviours, as well as cognitive styles and motivational goals may be adaptive or maladaptive to an individual’s well-being. Finally, the workshop will discuss how the science of well-being can provide us an evidence-based approach towards developing better management in organisations and policy making in Singapore.
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