Shigehiro Oishi: Researcher of Well-Being and Cultural Psychology

Introduction

Shigehiro Oishi is a distinguished psychologist renowned for his extensive research in well-being, cultural psychology, and social ecology. He currently serves as the Marshall Field IV Professor of Psychology at the University of Chicago, where he investigates the multifaceted nature of a fulfilling life, including concepts like psychological richness, and examines how cultural and environmental factors influence individual happiness.

Early Life and Education

Oishi earned his bachelor's degree from International Christian University in Tokyo, his master's from Columbia University, and his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Contributions to Psychology

Well-Being and Psychological Richness

Oishi's research delves into the various dimensions of well-being, introducing the concept of psychological richness, which emphasizes the importance of novel, complex, and perspective-changing experiences in enriching one's life.

Culture and Social Ecology

He explores how cultural and social ecological factors impact individual well-being and personality traits. For instance, his studies have examined how income inequality and residential mobility affect the happiness and well-being of individuals and communities.

Academic Contributions

Research Focus

Oishi's research encompasses culture, social ecology, and well-being. He has published over 200 articles and chapters on these topics. His work is notable for its methodological diversity and theoretical breadth, addressing how cultural and ecological factors influence individual well-being and personality.

Influential Books

Oishi has authored several influential books, including Life in Three Dimensions: How Curiosity, Exploration, and Experience Make a Fuller, Better Life, where he explores the concept of psychological richness as a vital component of a fulfilling life.

Among his notable works are:

幸せを科学する ("Doing the Science of Happiness"), published in Japanese in 2009.
The Psychological Wealth of Nations: Do Happy People Make a Happy Society?, published in 2012.
Life in Three Dimensions: How Curiosity, Exploration, and Experience Make a Fuller, Better Life, published in 2025.

Honors and Awards

He has been recognized as one of the most cited social psychologists in North America and has received several accolades, including the Career Trajectory Award from the Society of Experimental Social Psychology and the Carol and Ed Diener Award from the Society for Personality and Social Psychology.

Personal Life

Oishi has expressed interest in the role of arts and sports in psychology, exploring their impact on human happiness and psychological richness.