I suspect this is a case of using a metric (money) to explain a complex fact (what makes us happy).
Yes, $60,000/yr may make you happy. But I suspect that is about being comfortable and able to live without concern (over money issues, for example). I expect that if you gave a control group a comfortable life / success and just $1,000 a year then a large part would also be happy. Reverse would apply to a group with $100K but put through merry hell :)
A better conclusion would be that happiness is probably being comfortable and feeling successful etc.
Yes, $60,000/yr may make you happy. But I suspect that is about being comfortable and able to live without concern (over money issues, for example). I expect that if you gave a control group a comfortable life / success and just $1,000 a year then a large part would also be happy. Reverse would apply to a group with $100K but put through merry hell :)
A better conclusion would be that happiness is probably being comfortable and feeling successful etc.