A widely shared finding from a 2010 study reported that people are happiest when their household income reaches about $75,000, after which additional income provides no further emotional benefit. A 2023 reanalysis using more granular data complicated that picture: well-being continues to rise with income for most people, but flattens or even falls for a minority of unhappy individuals at higher income levels. The earlier finding wasn't wrong so much as composed of two patterns averaged together.
Which choice best states the main idea of the text?
- A
Income above $75,000 has no effect on happiness.
- B
All studies on income and happiness are unreliable.
- C
Money does not buy happiness.
- Dcheck_circle
The 2023 reanalysis shows the famous income–happiness plateau was an artifact of averaging two distinct patterns.
Explanation
The passage's central claim is the reanalytic finding that the plateau was an artifact — B. A, C, and D oversimplify.