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Online Bid To Cheer Up Britain

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Britain could be a happier place thanks to a unique psychological experiment aimed at spreading smiles around the country. Thousands of people are being invited to go online and try one of four proven mood-boosting techniques. The idea is to plant seeds of happiness which then "infect" others, sending waves of cheerfulness across recession-hit Britain. A national poll conducted before and after the experiment will assess whether it has worked. Professor Richard Wiseman, who is leading the study, has high hopes that it will, if enough people participate. "It's well known that happiness is catching," said Prof Wiseman, from the University of Hertfordshire. "We hope to spread happiness around the UK. No-one's ever tried cheering up a whole country before, and it's the right time to do it with everyone feeling gloomy from the recession. "Whether or not it will work depends on how many people take part. I've no idea what the tipping point is. Potentially somewhere like London, which is densely populated, you might find people smiling a lot more. It's a mad idea but it might just work." For the experiment to succeed, at least 10,000 people need to take part, said Prof Wiseman, adding: "We're hoping for more than that." From Monday, anyone can join in the study by visiting the website www.ScienceOfHappiness.co.uk. Participants will be asked to rate their mood and then be randomly assigned to one of four groups.

Britain could be a happier place thanks to a unique psychological experiment aimed at spreading smiles around the country.
Thousands of people are being invited to go online and try one of four proven mood-boosting techniques.
The idea is to plant seeds of happiness which then "infect" others, sending waves of cheerfulness across recession-hit Britain.
A national poll conducted before and after the experiment will assess whether it has worked.
Professor Richard Wiseman, who is leading the study, has high hopes that it will, if enough people participate.
"It's well known that happiness is catching," said Prof Wiseman, from the University of Hertfordshire. "We hope to spread happiness around the UK. No-one's ever tried cheering up a whole country before, and it's the right time to do it with everyone feeling gloomy from the recession.
"Whether or not it will work depends on how many people take part. I've no idea what the tipping point is. Potentially somewhere like London, which is densely populated, you might find people smiling a lot more. It's a mad idea but it might just work."
For the experiment to succeed, at least 10,000 people need to take part, said Prof Wiseman, adding: "We're hoping for more than that."
From Monday, anyone can join in the study by visiting the website www.ScienceOfHappiness.co.uk.
Participants will be asked to rate their mood and then be randomly assigned to one of four groups.

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