Psychology has focused mainly on two dimensions of a good life: happiness and meaning or purpose.

Psychological richness is a new concept of measuring a good life.

A psychologically rich life is characterized by curiosity, exploration and experiences that change our views.

Psychologically rich moments are those that stretch us, unsettle us, or invite us to see things differently.

For decades, psychologists have focused on two primary pathways to a fulfilled life: happiness and meaning. Happiness emphasizes positive emotions, comfort, and life satisfaction, while meaning centers on purpose, significance, and contribution to something larger than oneself. These two dimensions have dominated research on well-being and shaped much of the public conversation about what it means to live well. Yet, psychologist Dr. Shigehiro Oishi, in his groundbreaking book Life in Three Dimensions: How Curiosity, Exploration, and Experience Make a Fuller, Better Life (2026), introduces a compelling third dimension: psychological richness.

According to Oishi, a psychologically rich life is characterized by curiosity, exploration, novelty, and experiences that change our perspectives. Unlike happiness, which often seeks stability and comfort, or meaning, which seeks purpose and consistency, psychological richness embraces complexity, uncertainty, and growth through new experiences. A psychologically rich life may not always be comfortable, but it is often deeply engaging and memorable.

Oishi argues that happiness and meaning do not fully capture the diversity of human........

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