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The Neuroscience behind The Happiness Index's Methodology and Platform

1. RESEARCH

1.1 Background

Whilst neuroscience was studied throughout the twentieth century, revolving mainly around animals, the recent acceleration in its findings at the human level came through the development of brain imaging technology in the 1990s, especially functional MRI scans. This enabled us to explore live human brains in real time for the first time. Since then, there has been an explosion of neuroscience research centres across the globe and the pace of discovery has been astonishing. 

Understandably the main thrust of this research has been primarily clinical health, ranging from genetics to brain surgery. In this sense, most of the research is not readily translated into insights which are usable by the organisational community. This is where The Happiness Index (THI) steps in. Neuroscientific thinking has been directly fed into the architecture of its technology platform and the survey questions used, whilst models have been developed to render the insights more accessible. The core model is ‘Brain Systems’, the development of which will be explained below.

The core of The Happiness Index methodology is our gold standard 29 question Cultural Assessment built on neuroscience and externally validated. This method has been perfected over the last 10 years and tested in over 170 countries.

Latest external validation: April 2025

1.2 Sources

The Happiness Index approach has been developed over 16 years of both scientific study and organisational experience. The research conducted has been drawn from a variety of direct dialogue and reading material. This includes:

  • Discussions with neurological consultants, research organisations and other medical professionals. 
  • Working with the Heartmath Institute in California.
  • Attendance at specific neuroscience programmes run within the UK.
  • Significant study of books and research papers written by the neuroscientific community, some of which are highlighted below.

1.3 The Prefrontal Cortex and the brain systems model

The Pre-Frontal Cortex’s role is very important in influencing the way we consciously interpret the world and how we respond to it at the behavioural level. 

There are 3 other cortical lobes; the occipital lobe at the back which deals primarily with sight processing; the temporal lobe, located above the limbic system, which deals with memory, perception, language and auditory processing; and the parietal lobe at the top dealing with higher level reasoning, sensory integration and spatial awareness.

However, it is the prefrontal cortex which pulls all this processing together at a conscious level. It is responsible for cognition, reflection, attention, and imagination. It is the centre of our self-awareness and the place from which we exercise conscious behavioural choices. 

Accordingly, the development of the model within THI has kept pace with this with the creation of the ‘Brain Systems model’, identifying the four regions as systems of the brain as :


  • The Basal System: Instinctive system
  • The Limbic System: Emotional system
  • The Neo-Cortex: Rational System
  • The Prefrontal Cortex: Reflective system

2 KEY PUBLICATIONS

2.1 The human brain

Exploration of the interaction between the four regions of the brain has been extensively covered over the last two decades by the neuroscientific community. The full recommended reading list is extensive, so a more targeted approach is taken here. Particularly valuable to The Happiness Index is the commentary provided by the following authors and their respective publications:

LEDOUX, J. (1998). THE EMOTIONAL BRAIN: THE MYSTERIOUS UNDERPINNINGS OF EMOTIONAL LIFE. SIMON & SCHUSTER. Ledoux has worked in various professorial roles at New York University. This book lays the foundation of our Brain Systems model by exploring the relationships between our instincts and our emotions. It cites significant research into the workings of the limbic system and its interaction with the cortical lobes. It covers emotional processing, consciousness, emotional memory, childhood trauma and adult anxiety.

SIEGEL, D.J. (2010): MINDSIGHT: THE NEW SCIENCE OF PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION. BANTAM. Siegel is the Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA. This work takes us into the world of human perception and energetic connection, exploring relationships as attachment Systems and further examining the relationship between self and mind. He presents insights for personal transformation and wellbeing.

LIEBERMAN, M.D. (2014): SOCIAL: WHY OUR BRAINS ARE WIRED TO CONNECT’ (Illustrated ed). CROWN. Liebermann is currently Professor of Social Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of California. In this book he explores the brain mechanisms for social interaction, including how we emotionally impact each other. He examines the relationship between brain and mind, the self, facial recognition, and autism.

KAHNEMAN, D (2013): THINKING FAST AND SLOW (1st ed). FARRAR, STRAUS AND GIROUX. Kahneman is a psychologist and behavioural economist who has worked at various universities, including Princeton and Berkeley. This work won him the Nobel Prize for Economic Sciences. It cites significant empirical evidence distinguishing between the two distinctive brain modalities: ‘system 1’, the fast-paced instinctive and emotional brain; and ‘system 2’, the slower paced cognitive and logical brain. The work challenged the traditional thinking within economist spheres of humans being primarily rational beings, showing the impact of our learned biases on our behaviour and decision-making.

The combination of insights gained from books such as these (see wider bibliography for other publications) gave us the framework for the Brain Systems model. However, the human intelligence system involves much more than the brain. The next set of books and material covers body intelligence, including the somatic sensory system, the role of the heart and cellular biology.

2.2 The wider human intelligence system

In evolutionary terms, we had bodies before we had brains. The human body has its own intelligence mechanisms already built-in and not dependent on the brain for instruction. The brain and body work together in partnership constantly integrating sensory and cognitive information. This is best understood by piecing together material from the following works.

DAMASIO, A.R. (2022): DESCARTES’ ERROR: EMOTION, REASON AND THE HUMAN BRAIN. VINTAGE BOOKS. Damasio, neuroscientist and psychologist, has worked at various universities including the University of Southern California. In this book, he traces the evolution of human reasoning and the complex integration of sensory and rational processing. In particular he explores the somatic nervous system consisting of nerve fibres throughout the body conveying sensory information to the brain via the central nervous system.

PERT, C (2012): MOLECULES OF EMOTION. SIMON & SCHUSTER. Pert was the neuroscientist and pharmacologist who discovered the opiate receptor, the cellular binding site for endorphins in the brain. This book researches the molecular basis of emotions at the cellular level and the link between body and brain. It explores the chemical source of emotions and examines the interdependencies between our thoughts and emotions and our health.

LIPTON, B (2016): THE BIOLOGY OF BELIEF (10th Anniversary Edition). PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE. Lipton’s background as a stem cell biologist enables him to take us into a journey of study into the relationship between our beliefs and the chemistry of our bodies. He delves into cell biology and the impact of our perceptions and beliefs on our state of mind and health, a constant interaction between body and mind.

2.3 Beyond the brain systems model

The interest of The Happiness Index does not stop with the Brain Systems model. Our commitment to our vision, ‘The Freedom to be Human’ takes us into many areas where we see potential for releasing human potential and improved wellbeing.

DOIDGE, N. (2007): THE BRAIN THAT CHANGES ITSELF: STORIES OF PERSONAL TRIUMPH FROM THE FRONTIERS OF BRAIN SCIENCE. PENGUIN LIFE. Doidge is a Psychiatrist and psychoanalyst in residency at the University of Columbia. This book is a scientific exploration of the link between brain/mind and body and its ongoing impact on health and wellbeing. He examines brain mapping and the internal pain system. As well as sensory intelligence and brain plasticity.

RAMACHANDRAN, V.S. (2012): THE TELL-TALE BRAIN: A NEUROSCIENTIST'S QUEST FOR WHAT MAKES US HUMAN. W.W. NORTON & COMPANY. Ramachandran is a neuroscientist and, having completed his PHD at the University of Cambridge he is now based at the University of California (San Diego)’s centre for Brain and Cognition. This book examines brain anatomy and consciousness, exploring the phenomena of energy fields and phantom limbs. He explores the power of visual processing and the role of mirror neurons in perception, as well as language and the concept of self.

SETH, A (editor): FRITH, CHRIS (2022): THE 30 SECOND BRAIN. STERLING. Seth is Professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience at Sussex University. This book is an excellent general explanation of brain anatomy and dynamics. His wide-ranging explanation covers beliefs, decision-making, and motivation.

VAN DER KOLK, B, MD (2014): THE BODY KEEPS THE SCORE: BRAIN, MIND AND BODY IN THE HEALING OF TRAUMA. PENGUIN PUBLISHING GROUP. Van der Kolk is Professor of Psychiatry at the Boston University School of Medicine and a specialist in post-traumatic stress. In this book he explores trauma in depth, examining the interdependencies between body and mind. He explains the role of memory in this and shows how PTSD impacts our lives and becomes embodied in our experiences. He presents the idea of the mosaic personality.

EAGLEMAN, D (2015): THE BRAIN: THE STORY OF YOU. VINTAGE. Eagleman is a neuroscientist based at Stanford University and is actively involved in communication and education media, as well as the development of neurosensory devices. In this book he examines sensory processing and the role of internal models in defining our experience of life. He explains how our brains are constantly shaped by our environments and explores free will, sleep, synaesthesia, and transhumanism.

2.4 Specialist subjects

Then there are certain specialist publications which bring to light insights of broad common interest.

LESCHZINER, G. (2019): THE NOCTURNAL BRAIN. VAN HAREN PUBLISHING. Leschziner is Professor of Neurology and Sleep Medicine and Consultant Neurologist at St Guys and St Thomas’s Hospitals in London. In this book, he takes us into a deep scientific exploration of sleep, explaining its purpose and value in wellbeing. He examines sleep patterns and the circadian rhythm.

RIPPON, G: (2019): THE GENDERED BRAIN: THE NEW NEUROSCIENCE THAT SHATTERS THE MYTH OF THE FEMALE BRAIN. BODLEY HEAD. Rippon is a professor emeritus of neuroimaging at the Aston Brain Centre in Birmingham in the UK. In this book, Rippon lays out the science that shows that traditional views of male and female brains are misguided. She demonstrates that each is far more influenced in development terms by its nurturing experience. An important contribution to thinking about persity.

HARRIS, A. (2019): CONSCIOUSNESS: A BRIEF GUIDE TO THE FUNDAMENTAL MYSTERY OF THE MIND. HARPER. Harris is a science author educated at the University of New York. In this book she addresses the subject of neurosensory binding and panpsychism, citing experiences of split-brain experiments. She tackles free will and consciousness.

We will continue our research and study as new neuroscientific discoveries are made and this document will be updated accordingly.

3. ORGANISATIONAL APPLICATION: THE HAPPINESS INDEX TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM

3.1 Platform architecture

The Happiness Index embraces the most important insights into how people think, feel and behave, and translate these into organisational. The question architecture runs along the following structure:

3.2 Organisational application

The key step in the translation from brain language to organisational language is in the introduction of the eight key themes, which are uniquely blended by The Happiness Index using our IP. For instance, whilst customers may have difficulty in recognising the instinctive dynamics of their organisation, they will, on the other hand, find language such as safety and freedom more relatable. The themes therefore create the bridge of understanding between the science model and the everyday. These themes have been identified as core to the needs of their particular brain system and emerge from the accumulation of the scientific study presented in the pyramid above.

INSTINCTIVE SYSTEM: SAFETY AND FREEDOM

The Instinctive system is concerned primarily with two needs, commonly referred to as ‘survive and thrive’. Our genetic programming gives us the basic instructions we need to survive. We are constantly on the lookout for any threat which jeopardises this. This is of course essential to the longevity of the human species but in an organisational context it has a downside. People in ’survival mode’ cannot give their best as the brain remains focused primarily on addressing ongoing threats. The consequence is that it operates at a suboptimal level. To perform at our best we need to feel safe. This allows energy to be available for more constructive, collaborative and creative activities. So, understanding how safe people feel is key. If they do not, what is the source of that threat? Within the platform the drill-down questions concentrate on the physical environment, issues of trust or work/life balance.

But our instincts are not just concerned with survival. We also have a genetic need to thrive and to extend our boundaries of influence. The human species is innately curious and exploratory, and this sits at the heart of our evolutionary momentum. To give our best we need the freedom to be ourselves, to be able to explore our environments. Within the platform this is captured with questions around authenticity, autonomy and acceptance.

EMOTIONAL SYSTEM: RELATIONSHIPS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Emotional system enables us to cooperate as social groups. Its primary role is to create bonding between us. Relationships therefore sit at the heart of our emotional needs. In life we are hugely impacted by those we care most about. In organisations we have a deep-rooted need to experience fulfilling relationships with those we spend most time with. This includes those with our colleagues, our line managers and the teams we want to feel part of.

In parallel, the need for acknowledgement sits deep within us. In our early years emotional cues and acknowledgement shape our direction and experience and this continues throughout life. We need feedback from others to understand ourselves and to sustain our journey. This feedback is not just explicit, it includes the realm of subconsciously driven interactive behaviours which can challenge or endorse us, or excite or depress us. Accordingly, within the platform we focus on questions around recognition, listening and feedback. 

RATIONAL SYSTEM: CLARITY AND ENABLEMENT

Human capacity for rational thought is far more advanced than any other living species and this is reflected in the size and sophistication of the human cortex. Rational thought is concerned with interpretation and execution, ultimately with getting things done. Its role is essentially practical. We have the capacity for action at a more basic instinctive level, but this is where we establish the rules of execution for the complex capabilities we learn through life. Accordingly, within the platform we ask questions about Clarity and Enablement.

We need to be clear about all sorts of relevant factors if we are to be able to take appropriate and effective action. The neural pathways we create in our brains are our rules of engagement. To perform at our best we need clarity on matters like what is expected of us, what outcomes are we expected to achieve, what authority do we have, who are we expected to engage with, what information we have access to, and so on. We therefore focus our questions on Requirements, Information Flow and Organisational Impact.

We then need to have the means to get the job done. Whilst clarity focuses on the ‘what’, enablement focuses on the ‘how’. Hence our questions on Workload, Resources and Collaboration opportunities.

REFLECTIVE SYSTEM: PERSONAL GROWTH AND MEANING & PURPOSE

The prefrontal cortex is the region of the brain where we are able to bring together instinctive, emotional and rational intelligence to create our sense of wholeness and self. Here we can be imaginative and think of the bigger picture. It is the world of our conscious aspirations, our hopes and dreams of self-fulfilment. To tap into this potential organisations need to be able to offer opportunities for personal growth and to provide meaning and purpose.

In terms of Personal Growth, people in organisations need to feel they are learning and developing. The work they do needs to stretch and energise them and the organisation needs to offer opportunities for career development and progression. Moreover, people want to feel inspired by their work. They seek meaningful activity with a clear and fulfilling purpose. Within the platform we focus on questions around inspiration, commitment, and values.

4. APPENDIX

4.1 Happiness related reading

  • Achor, S. (2010). The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work. Crown.
  • Aknin, L. B., & Whillans, A. V. (Eds.). (2023). Handbook of Prosocial Behavior, Volume 1: Foundations. Oxford University Press.
  • Amabile, T., & Kramer, S. (2011). The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement, and Creativity at Work.
  • Harvard Business Review Press.
  • Bock, L. (2015). Work Rules!: Insights from Inside Google That Will Transform How You Live and Lead. Grand Central Publishing.
  • Brown, B. (2018). Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. Random House.
  • Brown, B. (2021). Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience. Random House.
  • De Neve, J. E., & Layard, R. (2023). Wellbeing: Science and Policy. Cambridge University Press.
  • De Neve, J. E., & Ward, G. (2023). Happiness at Work: Maximizing Psychological Capital in the Workplace. Kogan Page.
  • Diener, E., & Biswas-Diener, R. (2008). Happiness: Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth. Blackwell Publishing.
  • Dolan, P. (2014). Happiness by Design: Change What You Do, Not How You Think. Penguin Books.
  • Edmans, A. (2020). Grow the Pie: How Great Companies Deliver Both Purpose and Profit. Cambridge University Press.
  • Edmondson, A. C. (2018). The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth.
  • John Wiley & Sons.
  • Fredrickson, B. L. (2009). Positivity: Groundbreaking Research Reveals How to Embrace the Hidden Strength of Positive Emotions,
  • Overcome Negativity, and Thrive. Crown.
  • Gilbert, D. (2006). Stumbling on Happiness. Alfred A. Knopf.
  • Giurge, L. M., & Whillans, A. V. (2024). Wellbeing at Work: How to Build Resilient and Thriving Teams. Harvard Business Review Press.
  • Grant, A. (2013). Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success. Viking.
  • Layard, R. (2005). Happiness: Lessons from a New Science. Penguin Books.
  • Lomas, T. (2023). Happiness (The MIT Press Essential Knowledge series). The MIT Press.
  • Pink, D. H. (2009). Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us. Riverhead Books.
  • Schein, E. H. (various editions). Organizational Culture and Leadership. Jossey-Bass.
  • Seligman, M. E. P. (2002). Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment. Free Press.
  • Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being. Free Press.

4.2 Neuroscience reading

  • Damasio, A. R. (2022). Descartes’ error: Emotion, reason and the human brain. Vintage Books.
  • Doidge, N. (2007). The brain that changes itself: Stories of personal triumph from the frontiers of brain science (Reprint ed.). Penguin Life.
  • Eagleman, D. (2015). The brain: The story of you. Vintage.
  • Harris, A. (2019). Conscious: A brief guide to the fundamental mystery of the mind (1st ed.). Harper.
  • Kahneman, D. (2013). Thinking, fast and slow (1st ed.). Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
  • van der Kolk, B., MD. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Penguin Publishing Group.
  • Ledoux, J. (1998). The emotional brain: The mysterious underpinnings of emotional life. Simon & Schuster.
  • Leschziner, G. (2019). The nocturnal brain. Van Haren Publishing.
  • Lieberman, M. D. (2014). Social: Why our brains are wired to connect (Illustrated ed.). Crown.
  • Lipton, B. H. (2016). The biology of belief (10th Anniversary Edition). Penguin Random House.
  • Pert, C. (2012). Molecules of emotion. Simon & Schuster.
  • Ramachandran, V. S. (2012). The tell-tale brain: A neuroscientist’s quest for what makes us human. W. W. Norton & Company.
  • Rippon, G. (2019). The gendered brain: The new neuroscience that shatters the myth of the female brain. Bodley Head.
  • Seth, Anil (editor); Frith, Chris. (2022). 30-Second brain. Sterling.
  • Siegel, D. J. (2010). Mindsight: The new science of personal transformation (Reprint ed.). Bantam.
  • Feldman Barrett, L (1991). Seven and a half lessons about the brain: Pan Macmillan
  • Kandel, E, et al, L (2021). Principles of Neural Science: McGraw Hill
  • Panksepp J (1998). Affective Neuroscience: The Foundations of Human and Animal Emotions. Oxford University Press
  • Rudy, J (2008). The neurobiology of Learning and Memory: Sinauer Associates (an imprint of Oxford University Press)

4.3 Further reading

THE HAPPINESS INDEX PUBLICATIONS

  • Phelan, M. (2020). Freedom to be Happy. Contents: The business case for happiness and how happiness creates a thriving culture.
  • Phelan, M. (2023). The Happiness Index: Why today's emotions equal tomorrow's business success. Contents: A data-driven, and neuroscience-based discussion of employee engagement and happiness.
  • Hyland, C. (2021). The Quantum Way, Understanding the science behind happiness and workplace engagement. Contents: Linking neuroscience and quantum physics.

THE HAPPINESS INDEX WEBSITE

  • https://thehappinessindex.com/neuroscience/

QUANTUM INSIGHTS AND CONSCIOUSNESS

  • Lanza, R. (2010). Biocentrism. Contents: Quantum, Time & space, Combinations e.g. sodium chlorate (explosive + cleaner = table salt).
  • Dispenza, J. (2019). Becoming Supernatural. Contents: Access to the Quantum field through meditation: science explained.
  • 49 Papers (2017). Consciousness and the Universe. Contents: Link between neuroscience, consciousness and quantum physics (inc. spirituality).
  • Raymer, M. (2017). Quantum physics: What everyone needs to know. Contents: Quantum physics.

ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT

  • Zohar, D. (2016). The Quantum Leader: A Revolution in Business Thinking and Practice. Contents: Quantum, self-organising universe, Quantum Vacuum, Probability, Edge of Chaos, Fields of meaning, Quantum organisations, Motivation.
  • Jaworski, J. (2012). Source: The Inner Path of Knowledge Creation. Contents: U Theory and organisational development.

CULTURAL READING

  • Radin, D. (2009). The Noetic Universe. Contents: PSI Research bringing science and non-science closer, Collective consciousness, Non-locality.
  • Chopra, D. (2005). Synchrodestiny: Harnessing the Infinite Power of Coincidence to Create Miracles. Contents: Quantum discovery.
  • Cannato, J. (2006). Radical Amazement: Contemplative Lessons from Black Holes, Supernovas, and Other Wonders of the Universe. Contents: Link between physics, religion and consciousness; Dark matter morphogenic fields, Holons.
  • Lipton, B. (2014). The Honeymoon Effect: The Science of Creating Heaven on Earth. Contents: Mind, body, cells, 95/5 cons/sub processing split, x 1m speed, inner tension mind.
  • Walsch, N. D. (2019) Conversations with God, Books 1, 2 & 3. Contents: A spiritual discourse.

WIDER READING OF INTEREST

  • Harrari, Y. N. (2015). Homo Sapiens. Contents: History of humanity.
  • Harrari, Y. N. (2017). Homo Deus. Contents: Stream of consciousness, Free will, Split brains, Narrative L v Experiencing self R, Light spectrum.
  • Harrari, Y. N. (2019). 21 Lessons for the 21st Century. Contents: Commentary on critical social and technology developments.
  • Gallwey, W. T. (2015). The Inner Game of Tennis: The Ultimate Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance. Contents: Mastering human performance.
  • Ekman, P. (2004). Emotions Revealed: Understanding Faces and Feelings. Contents: Exploring instinctive and cultural behaviours.
  • Goleman, D. (2020). Emotional Intelligence. Contents: Introduction to Emotional Intelligence.
  • Tolle, E. (2001). The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment. Contents: A guide to spiritual enlightenment.
  • Gladwell, M. (2006). Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking. Contents: Insights into instinctive thinking.
  • Gladwell, M. (2009). Outliers: The Story of Success. Contents: An analysis of success through thinking differently.
  • Gladwell, M. (2002). The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. Contents: The concept of critical mass, The threshold for change.
  • Wax, R. (2018). How to Be Human: The Manual. Contents: Insights into Neuroscience and Spirituality