We examined how lay beliefs about meaning in life relate to experiences of personal meaning. In Study 1 (N = 406) meaning in life was perceived to be a common experience, but one that requires effort to attain, and these beliefs related to levels of meaning in life. Participants viewed their own lives as more meaningful than the average person’s, and technology as both creating challenges and providing supports for meaning. Study 2 (N = 1719) showed cross-country variation in levels of and beliefs about meaning across eight countries. However, social relationships and happiness were identified as the strongest sources of meaning in life consistently across countries. We discuss the value of lay beliefs for understanding meaning in life both within and across cultures.

我们研究了关于生活意义的外行信念与个人意义的体验之间的关系。在研究1中（N  = 406），生活中的意义被认为是一种普遍的经历，但是需要付出努力才能实现，这些信念与生活中的意义水平有关。参与者认为自己的生活比普通人更有意义，而技术既创造挑战又提供意义支持。研究2（N  = 1719）显示了八个国家的含义水平和信念信念的跨国差异。然而，社会关系和幸福被认为是各国生活中最重要的意义来源。我们讨论了外行信仰对于理解文化内部和文化之间的意义的价值。