Comprehension
Read the passage carefully and answer the THREE questions that follow.
What does a good life look like to you? For some, the phrase may conjure up images of a close-knit family, a steady job, and a Victorian house at the end of a street arched with oak trees. Others may focus on the goal of making a difference in the world, whether by working as a nurse or teacher, volunteering, or pouring their energy into environmental activism. According to Aristotlean theory, the first kind of life would be classified as “hedonic”—one based on pleasure, comfort, stability, and strong social relationships. The second is “eudaimonic,” primarily concerned with the sense of purpose and fulfilment one gets by contributing to the greater good. The ancient Greek philosopher outlined these ideas in his treatise Nicomachean Ethics, and the psychological sciences have pretty much stuck them ever since when discussing the possibilities of what people might want out of their time on Earth. But a new paper, published in the American Psychological Association’s Psychological Review, suggests there’s another way to live a good life. It isn’t focused on happiness or purpose, but rather it’s a life that’s “psychologically rich.”
What is a psychologically rich life? According to authors Shige Oishi, a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia, and Erin Westgate, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Florida, it’s one characterized by “interesting experiences in which novelty and/or complexity are accompanied by profound changes in perspective.”
Studying abroad, for example, is one way that college students often introduce psychological richness into their lives. As they learn more about a new country’s customs and history, they’re often prompted to reconsider the social mores of their own cultures. Deciding to embark on a difficult new career path or immersing one’s self in avant-garde art (the paper gives a specific shout-out to James Joyce’s Ulysses) also could make a person feel as if their life is more psychologically rich.
Crucially, an experience doesn’t have to be fun in order to qualify as psychologically enriching. It might even be a hardship. Living through war or a natural disaster might make it hard to feel as though you’re living a particularly happy or purposeful life, but you can still come out of the experience with psychological richness. Or you might encounter less dramatic but nonetheless painful events: infertility, chronic illness, unemployment. Regardless of the specifics, you may experience suffering but still find value in how your experience shapes your understanding of yourself and the world around you.
What does a good life look like to you? For some, the phrase may conjure up images of a close-knit family, a steady job, and a Victorian house at the end of a street arched with oak trees. Others may focus on the goal of making a difference in the world, whether by working as a nurse or teacher, volunteering, or pouring their energy into environmental activism. According to Aristotlean theory, the first kind of life would be classified as “hedonic”—one based on pleasure, comfort, stability, and strong social relationships. The second is “eudaimonic,” primarily concerned with the sense of purpose and fulfilment one gets by contributing to the greater good. The ancient Greek philosopher outlined these ideas in his treatise Nicomachean Ethics, and the psychological sciences have pretty much stuck them ever since when discussing the possibilities of what people might want out of their time on Earth. But a new paper, published in the American Psychological Association’s Psychological Review, suggests there’s another way to live a good life. It isn’t focused on happiness or purpose, but rather it’s a life that’s “psychologically rich.”
What is a psychologically rich life? According to authors Shige Oishi, a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia, and Erin Westgate, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Florida, it’s one characterized by “interesting experiences in which novelty and/or complexity are accompanied by profound changes in perspective.”
Studying abroad, for example, is one way that college students often introduce psychological richness into their lives. As they learn more about a new country’s customs and history, they’re often prompted to reconsider the social mores of their own cultures. Deciding to embark on a difficult new career path or immersing one’s self in avant-garde art (the paper gives a specific shout-out to James Joyce’s Ulysses) also could make a person feel as if their life is more psychologically rich.
Crucially, an experience doesn’t have to be fun in order to qualify as psychologically enriching. It might even be a hardship. Living through war or a natural disaster might make it hard to feel as though you’re living a particularly happy or purposeful life, but you can still come out of the experience with psychological richness. Or you might encounter less dramatic but nonetheless painful events: infertility, chronic illness, unemployment. Regardless of the specifics, you may experience suffering but still find value in how your experience shapes your understanding of yourself and the world around you.
Question: 1
Which of the following statements BEST contrasts Hedonic from Eudaimonic?
Which of the following statements BEST contrasts Hedonic from Eudaimonic?
Updated On: Aug 22, 2025
- Hedonic believes in seeking pleasure while Eudaimonic focuses on depriving oneself of pleasure.
- Hedonic focuses on what gives pleasure to self, while Eudaimonic focuses on what he/she believes benefits the society.
- Hedonic focuses on the emptiness from seeking pleasure, while Eudaimonic focuses on the fulfilment by giving pleasure to others.
- Hedonic believes that pleasure leads to fulfilment while Eudaimonic believes that fulfilment leads to pleasure.
- Hedonic focuses on pleasure to self while Eudaimonic focuses on pleasure to the other.
Hide Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The concepts of Hedonia and Eudaimonia come from ancient Greek philosophy and modern psychology, representing two distinct ways of defining a “good life”:
- Hedonic perspective ($H$): Centered on seeking pleasure, comfort, and avoidance of pain. Mathematically, one could think of it as maximizing $$ H = \sum ( \text{Pleasure} - \text{Pain} ). $$
- Eudaimonic perspective ($E$): Focused on living a life of meaning, purpose, and contribution to society. It is less about immediate pleasure and more about virtue, self-realization, and social good.
Why Option 2 is BEST
- Correctly contrasts the two orientations: – Hedonic = pleasure for oneself. – Eudaimonic = meaningful action, often linked to benefit of others/society.
- This contrast captures the self-oriented vs. society/virtue-oriented difference clearly.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
- Option 1: Wrong — Eudaimonia is not about deprivation of pleasure, but about purpose and virtue.
- Option 3: Misleading — Hedonic life is not defined by “emptiness,” and Eudaimonia is not only about “giving pleasure to others.”
- Option 4: Too simplistic — Though it contrasts pleasure and fulfilment, it does not capture the societal/virtue dimension of Eudaimonia.
- Option 5: Incomplete — Eudaimonia is not just “pleasure to others,” but a deeper sense of meaning, growth, and societal benefit.
Key Takeaway
Hedonic well-being = pursuing pleasure and comfort for oneself.
Eudaimonic well-being = pursuing meaning, virtue, and actions that contribute to the greater good.
Therefore, Option 2 provides the clearest and most accurate distinction.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Question: 2
Which of the following statements BEST defines a “psychologically rich life”?
Which of the following statements BEST defines a “psychologically rich life”?
Updated On: Aug 22, 2025
- A life that offers interesting experiences that makes you question what life is
- A life where novel experiences result in a fundamental change to our existing views
- A life that is filled with learning opportunities that makes us an expert in a particular area
- A life that is filled with novel experiences which changes our view of what a good life is
- Any novel experience that affects us cognitively makes us psychologically rich
Hide Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
A psychologically rich life emphasizes varied, complex, and perspective-shifting experiences that lead to meaningful changes in how we understand the world and ourselves. It is not merely about pleasure (hedonia) or achievement/virtue (eudaimonia), but about novelty + cognitive transformation.
We can express the essence informally as: $$ \text{Psychological Richness} \;\; R \;\propto\; \text{Novelty} \; (N)\;\times\; \text{Depth of Perspective Change}\; (\Delta P). $$ High $N$ with strong $\Delta P$ best captures the idea.
Why Option 2 is BEST
- Includes novelty ($N$): new, diverse experiences.
- Requires transformation ($\Delta P$): a fundamental change in one’s existing views, not just surface-level interest.
- This pair (novelty + transformed perspective) is the core criterion of a psychologically rich life.
Why the Other Options Are Not Best
- Option 1: “Interesting experiences” may provoke curiosity or questions, but the statement doesn’t require a fundamental change in viewpoint. Interest $\neq$ transformation.
- Option 3: Focuses on expertise in a particular area (accumulating knowledge/skill). That aligns more with eudaimonic growth (mastery/achievement) than with the varied, perspective-shifting richness emphasized here.
- Option 4: Mentions “novel experiences” but narrows the change to “what a good life is.” Psychologically rich lives can shift many facets of perspective (self, others, values, culture), not just one’s concept of the good life. It’s too narrow.
- Option 5: Overgeneralizes. Any cognitive effect is too weak a threshold. The definition needs novelty that leads to substantive (fundamental) perspective change, not just minor or fleeting cognitive impact.
Key Takeaway
A psychologically rich life centers on novel experiences that significantly alter one’s perspectives. Hence, Option 2 is the most accurate and complete statement.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Question: 3
Which of the following statements can be BEST concluded from the passage?
Which of the following statements can be BEST concluded from the passage?
Updated On: Aug 22, 2025
- A bad experience can enrich someone psychologically.
- An unpleasant experience can enable a good life.
- Life need not be good, but can still be psychologically rich.
- A psychologically rich life is a good life.
- A good life should not be seen in binary terms.
Hide Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The passage makes a distinction between a good life and a psychologically rich life. It emphasizes that:
- Even experiences that are unpleasant or challenging can contribute positively to the quality of life.
- Such experiences may not always be “good” in the conventional sense, but they provide depth, perspective, and growth that enrich life.
Now, analyzing the options:
- Option 1: True, but too narrow — the focus is not only on psychological enrichment but on enabling a good life.
- Option 2: This is the best conclusion since it captures the essence that unpleasant experiences can still contribute to and enable a fulfilling life.
- Option 3: Misleading — the passage does not reject the idea of a good life, it redefines it.
- Option 4: Incorrect — a psychologically rich life is not automatically equated with a good life.
- Option 5: Too abstract and not directly supported by the passage.
Hence, the most accurate conclusion is:
\[ \boxed{\text{An unpleasant experience can enable a good life}} \]
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Top Questions on Reading Comprehension
As of 2009, there are 890 World Heritage Sites that are located in 148 countries (map). 689 of these sites are cultural and include places like the Sydney Opera House in Australia and the Historic Center of Vienna in Austria. 176 are natural and feature such locations as the U.S.’s Yellowstone and Grand Canyon National Parks. 25 of the World Heritage Sites are considered mixed i.e. natural and cultural Peru’s Machu Picchu is one of these. Italy has the highest number of World Heritage Sites with 44. India has 36 (28 cultural, 7 natural and 1 mixed) World Heritage Sites. The World Heritage Committee has divided the world’s countries into five geographic zones which include (1) Africa, (2) Arab States, (3) Asia Pacific (including Australia and Oceania), (4) Europe and North America and (5) Latin America and the Caribbean.
WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN DANGER
Like many natural, historic and cultural sites around the world, many World Heritage Sites are in danger of being destroyed or lost due to war, poaching, natural disasters like earthquakes, uncontrolled urbanization, heavy tourist traffic and environmental factors like air pollution and acid rain.- Maharashtra Class X Board - 2025
- English
- Reading Comprehension
- I give the biggest credit of this honour to my movement’s Kaalu Kumar, Dhoom Das and Adarsh Kishore from India and Iqbal Masih from Pakistan who made the supreme sacrifice for protect ing the freedom and dignity of children. I humbly accept this award on behalf of all such martyrs, my fellow activists across the world and my countrymen. My journey from the great land of Lord Buddha, Guru Nanak and Mahatma Gandhi; India to Norway is a connect between the two centres of global peace and brotherhood, ancient and modern. Friends, the Nobel Committee has generously invited me to present a “lecture.” Respectfully, I am unable to do that. Because, I am representing here — the sound of silence. The cry of innocence. And, the face of invisibility. I represent millions of those children who are left behind and that’s why I have kept an empty chair here as a reminder. I have come here only to share the voices and dreams of our children– because they are all our children– (gesture to everyone in the audience). I have looked into their frightened and exhausted eyes. I have held their injured bodies and felt their broken spirits.
- Maharashtra Class X Board - 2025
- English
- Reading Comprehension
- Read the following extract and do the given activities :
- Maharashtra Class X Board - 2025
- English
- Reading Comprehension
- Read the following passage and do the given activities :
- Maharashtra Class X Board - 2025
- English
- Reading Comprehension
- Complete the concluding sentence of the following paragraph with one of the options given below. In the 1960s, Jane Goodall observed chimpanzees removing termites from hides with stripped twigs. Initially, researchers were unable to determine whether the animals viewed a group of tasks as a single problem requiring a general tool set or used individual tools to solve specific tasks. The question was finally resolved when chimps were observed selecting tools to carry with them in anticipation of particular difficulties. Research, therefore, concluded that not only are chimpanzees capable of using tools in a sophisticated way, but they ________________
- CUET (PG) - 2025
- General Management
- Reading Comprehension
View More Questions
Questions Asked in XAT exam
Match the following airlines with the countries where they are headquartered.
Airlines Countries 1. AirAsia A. Singapore 2. AZAL B. South Korea 3. Jeju Air C. Azerbaijan 4. Indigo D. India 5. Tigerair E. Malaysia - XAT - 2025
- Business and Economy
Match the following authors with their respective works.
Authors Books 1. Andy Weir A. Dune 2. Cixin Liu B. The Time Machine 3. Stephen Hawking C. The Brief History of Time 4. HG Wells D. The Martian 5. Frank Herbert E. The Three Body Problem - XAT - 2025
- Books and Authors
- What is the name of the AI-based app recently launched by the central government of India to provide study materials in regional languages?
- XAT - 2025
- Scientific Developments
- Which shipyard built INS Tushil, a stealth guided missile frigate, commissioned on Dec 9, 2024?
- XAT - 2025
- General Science
- Who won the SVERIGES RIKSBANK PRIZE in ECONOMIC Sciences in memory of Alfred Nobel 2024 for studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity?
- XAT - 2025
- Economy
View More Questions