“Hedonic treadmill” refers to the tendency to always go back to the same level of happiness despite positive life events. Personal happiness does seem to increase as family incomes rise, a phenomenon apparent in both the U.S. and Britain. But once we reach a modest level of income, more money doesn't bring greater satisfaction. This is when we find ourselves on what experts call the “hedonic treadmill”.

“快樂水車”指盡管經(jīng)歷了本該令人快樂的事情，人們卻并沒有變得更快樂的現(xiàn)象。隨著家庭收入的增長(zhǎng)，個(gè)體的幸福感會(huì)增強(qiáng)，這種現(xiàn)象在美國和英國很常見。但是一旦人們的收入達(dá)到了一定水平，收入的增加卻不能再帶來更多的快樂。這時(shí)，人們就陷入了“快樂水車”時(shí)期。

Social scientists explain this happiness plateau through the "aspiration adjustment hypothesis." As soon as we acquire a moderate amount of wealth, our expectations rise for a higher quality of life. When we don't reach these new levels, our spirits flag, leaving us disillusioned.

社會(huì)學(xué)家用“期望調(diào)適假說”來解釋這種高原現(xiàn)象。一旦我們獲得了一定的財(cái)富之后，對(duì)于生活品質(zhì)的期望值便會(huì)增加。如果不能達(dá)到這些新的高度，我們就會(huì)一蹶不振，感到幻想破滅。

A second explanation comes from the idea of "relative position": We compare our wealth and place in the social hierarchy to those around us. No matter how high we climb, we almost always encounter someone who is richer or who has more things.

我們還可以從“相對(duì)位置”這一概念中找到解釋。我們往往會(huì)將自己的財(cái)富和社會(huì)地位與身邊的人進(jìn)行比較。不管我們?cè)诔晒Φ穆飞吓赖糜卸喔撸覀儙缀蹩偸强梢耘龅奖茸约焊挥谢驌碛懈嗟娜恕?/p>

（中國日?qǐng)?bào)網(wǎng)英語點(diǎn)津 實(shí)習(xí)生 陳思迪）