For years, happiness and purpose have shaped how we think about well-being. But according to Shigehiro Oishi, Professor of Psychology at the University of Chicago, there’s a third dimension that might be just as essential, especially for those seeking depth in both life and work.
Oishi is a leading researcher in the psychology of well-being whose work has helped expand our understanding of how people across cultures define and pursue a good life. His latest research centers on psychological richness—a concept that adds texture, curiosity, and complexity to traditional models of well-being.
In this episode of Meaningful Work Matters, we sit down with Oishi to explore how this framework challenges conventional thinking, what it means in the workplace, and how we can invite more richness into our daily lives, even in subtle ways.
Psychological Richness Defined
Psychological richness is the idea that a good life isn’t only about feeling good (happiness / hedonia) or doing good (meaning / eudaimonia). It’s also about experiencing a wide range of emotions, ideas, and moments—especially the unexpected ones.
Unlike happiness, which favors comfort and pleasure, and meaning, which often stems from stability and service, psychological richness is defined by:
Novelty and variety
Complexity and surprise
Moments that shift our perspective
As Oishi puts it:
“It’s not always pleasant—but it adds texture, wonder, and growth.”
He likens it to eating dark chocolate: a sensory experience that’s sometimes bitter, complex, and memorable.
Why Psychological Richness Matters
Research from Oishi and his colleagues suggests that people who pursue psychological richness are:
More curious and open to new experiences
More likely to take intellectual or creative risks
Less likely to avoid discomfort if it leads to personal growth
In one study, students who self-identified as psychologically rich were more likely to choose challenging classes—not for the grade, but for the learning. In another experiment, simply reflecting on the value of richness increased participants’ willingness to wait (at a cost) to satisfy their curiosity.
Psychological richness, in other words, invites exploration for its own sake. It helps people engage with life not just for outcomes, but for the stories and perspectives they collect along the way.
Psychological Richness at Work
How does this idea show up in the workplace?
Soren and Oishi explore how certain jobs, like those in the arts, often rank low in satisfaction and even meaning, yet still attract and retain people because of their psychological richness. These roles tend to offer:
Freedom and autonomy
Creative problem-solving
A sense of unpredictability or play
Oishi highlights data showing that while social workers or teachers often rate their jobs as deeply meaningful, editors and artists don’t always do the same—yet they still choose to stay. One likely reason? Their work is stimulating, dynamic, and creatively engaging, even if not always fulfilling in a traditional sense.
Psychological richness also helps explain why some people thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous environments, while others find comfort and satisfaction in routine. It’s not that one is better than the other. Rather, different people (and roles) may emphasize different forms of well-being.
Simplicity vs. Complexity: The Case for Generalists
Another practical insight from Oishi’s research: generalists tend to experience more psychological richness than specialists.
In studies where participants imagined themselves in narrowly defined, repetitive roles versus more open-ended, cross-functional ones, those in “generalist” scenarios reported greater curiosity and psychological engagement. They also scored higher on behavioral measures of curiosity.
This doesn’t mean specialization is bad. But for organizations looking to spark innovation and learning, it suggests that task variety, cross-disciplinary teams, and autonomy can help create environments that support psychological richness.
Even in structured jobs, small tweaks can make a difference. For example, changing a routine, trying a new route to work, or reframing a task through metaphor or storytelling.
Challenges and Considerations
While psychological richness offers many benefits, it’s not without limits. Oishi notes that high levels of novelty and complexity can also lead to overwhelm, especially if experiences aren’t processed or integrated over time.
He cites the example of Anthony Bourdain, whose life was filled with adventure and cultural exploration, but who still struggled with meaning and coherence. Without reflection, even a life filled with experiences can feel fragmented or hollow.
Richness works best when paired with the ability to make meaning from experience. Otherwise, it risks becoming noise rather than depth.
Takeaways
Psychological richness is a third, vital dimension of well-being. It complements happiness and meaning by emphasizing complexity, exploration, and new perspectives.
Curiosity and growth often stem from discomfort. People who value richness are more willing to try unfamiliar things, take intellectual risks, and learn from unexpected situations.
Work can be rich, even when it’s not always meaningful or satisfying. Roles that allow creativity, autonomy, and surprise can offer value beyond traditional success metrics.
Psychological richness can be cultivated. Even small changes—like saying yes to a stretch assignment or taking a new path to work—can enrich our experiences.
Reflection matters. To truly feel psychologically rich, we must integrate and make sense of our experiences—not just accumulate them.
Final Thoughts
A good life isn’t always sweet. Sometimes it’s complex. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable. But as Shige Oishi reminds us, it’s often those experiences that stay with us. The ones that challenge our assumptions, stretch our thinking, and add layers to our story.
If we want to design lives and workplaces that are truly fulfilling, we may need to look beyond happiness and meaning alone. Psychological richness invites us to embrace life’s full spectrum, and in doing so, discover a more complete picture of well-being.
Resources for Further Exploration
Read Shige’s latest book: A Life in Three Dimensions
Learn more about Shige Oishi’s research
