Happiness Test

The IDRlabs Happiness Motives Test (IDR-HT) was developed by IDRlabs. The IDR-HMT is based on the work of Dr. Martin Seligman, Ph.D., who authored the PERMA model of happiness. The IDR-HMT is not associated with any specific researchers in the field of positive psychology, personality psychology, or any affiliated research institutions.

The test provides feedback such as the following: Connection is the phenomenon of experiencing deep and meaningful bonds with others, through which you care about others and are also profoundly cared for by others in turn. People who score high on Connection usually have supportive relationships that make them feel valued and loved. Having healthy relationships is crucial to happiness since, as human beings, we are inherently social creatures. Genuinely connecting with others results in positive emotions for us such as security, peace, and joy. Moreover, studies have shown that being in satisfying relationships is related to higher self-esteem, a greater facility for empathy, better physical health, and a longer life expectancy.

Mastery is the sense of excellence in skill, ability, or competence. A core source of human motivation and positive pride is being secure in the knowledge that one has expertise in certain areas. As individuals, it is important for us to feel that we are competent and that our contributions and skills are valuable for us to feel happy in life. If we achieve Mastery by developing our abilities, we are motivated to share and participate, and this contributes to a high level of happiness and well-being.

Progress is the sense that one has advanced toward desirable goals as well as bettered one’s skillset. People who have a vivid sense of progress feel happier and more satisfied with their lives. In a way, a sense of progress functions cyclically. Happy people tend to have more positive emotions, which help drive them to undertake goal-directed behaviors; accomplishing these goals elicits new positive emotions, which in turn drive them to undertake new constructive goals and self-developments.

Autonomy is the sense that one has free choice, is one’s own master, and feels in control of one’s life. Being free in this way also means the liberty to act in harmony with one’s authentic self, which is another element that typically makes people happy. People with high Autonomy scores feel that they are free to make their own choices, and they do not feel significant restrictions regarding how they manage their time, accomplish things, or actualize their potential. As human beings, we do not like to be coerced, as we feel that what we do of our own volition is much more conducive to happiness.

As the publishers of this Happiness Motives quiz, which allows you to screen yourself for five manifestations of this virtue, we have striven to make the test as reliable and valid as possible by subjecting it to statistical controls and validation. However, free online quizzes such as the present Happiness Motives test do not provide professional assessments or recommendations of any kind; the test is provided entirely “as-is.” For more information about any of our online tests and quizzes, please consult our Terms of Service.