Hedonic theory

Hedonic theory suggests that people seek pleasure and aim to avoid pain, and their happiness or satisfaction depends on the balance of positive and negative experiences. It posits that individuals continually evaluate how different experiences, possessions, or relationships make them feel, striving to maximize pleasure and minimize discomfort. Our sense of well-being is thus shaped by our subjective perceptions of these experiences, with higher pleasure and lower pain leading to greater happiness. This theory helps explain consumer behavior, decision-making, and emotional responses based on how people perceive and prioritize different sources of joy or discomfort.