People who became wealthy suddenly (as by winning a lottery) are very happy at first, but return to previous happiness levels within a few months. Of the following, which is NOT a likely explanation for the decline?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Option A is a possible explanation because of the adaptation level phenomenon, where people become accustomed to a new level of happiness and revert to a previous level. Option B is also possible because of the phenomenon of the hedonic treadmill, where people's desires and wants escalate as they amass more wealth. Option D is a valid explanation since some individuals may squander or lose their sudden windfall. However, option C is not plausible because studies show that age and happiness are generally unrelated, and a few months is too brief a period for a significant decline in happiness due to aging.

People Who Became Wealthy Suddenly (As by Winning a Lottery)