Portugal third most ‘pleasurable’ country in the world
22 August 2009
As the result of a study by ice-cream manufacturers Magnum that was carried out in 19 different countries Portugal has ranked third concerning the levels of pleasure its citizens enjoy, based on ten different categories, boasting an overall ‘Pleasure Quotient’ average of 129 points, preceded only by Colombia (136) and Mexico (135).
The findings of this survey dismiss theories that there may be a direct relation between a country’s level of richness and the pleasure it affords, as well as proving the age-old adage that money does not bring happiness.
More than 111,000 people from the 19 countries completed Magnum’s survey, around 67,000 of who were women and 44,000 men.
Magnum’s test was developed by psychology Professor Alex Linley of Leicester University and is similar to an IQ test, designed to measure the frequency and intensity that the ten categories (taste, relaxation, self-accomplishment, adrenalin, group activities, sounds, smells, solo activities, vision and touch) offered citizens. It is based on ten cross-questions focusing on the frequency and intensity of enjoyment of the afore-mentioned categories.
Amongst other conclusions drawn by the study is the fact that men get more enjoyment out of life, and taste and relaxation are the highest preferred forms of pleasure.
Colombia, Mexico, Portugal and Turkey are the top four countries where most pleasurable categories are experienced and with the highest levels of intensity, with New Zealand and France coming in at the bottom of the list.
The first five questions showed three images of which the respondent was asked to choose the image that to them was the most appealing. Other questions involved rating an image on a scale of one to ten in terms of enjoyment.
To learn more about yourself, about what makes you tick and how you can improve your general enjoyment in life, the Magnum Pleasure test can be found at:
www.mymagnum.co.uk.