Final answer:
When we compare our current state of happiness to past states of happiness, we demonstrate the adaptation level principle. This principle suggests that humans have a baseline level of happiness and tend to adapt to changes in circumstances over time, reverting back to the baseline level.
Step-by-step explanation:
When we compare our current state of happiness to past states of happiness, we demonstrate the adaptation level principle. The adaptation level principle suggests that humans have a baseline level of happiness, and we tend to adapt to changes in our circumstances over time, reverting back to our baseline level.
For example, if someone wins the lottery and experiences a surge of happiness, they will eventually adapt to their newfound wealth and return to their previous level of happiness. Similarly, if someone goes through a difficult period in their life and feels unhappy, they will eventually adapt to their new circumstances and return to their baseline level of happiness.
This principle highlights the idea that our happiness is not solely determined by our external circumstances, but rather our internal adaptation to those circumstances.