After reviewing recent gerontological literature on satisfaction and happiness from the point of view of explanations by analysis of constituents, explanations by synthesis of correlates, and mixtures of these two types of explanations, the report describes results of a social survey of 392 Huron County (Ontario) rural residents over age 60. The average age of respondents was 77 years; 53% were female; 53% married; 63% described themselves as retired; 48% had completed grade 8 or less; 46% reported that at some time in their lives their main income was from farming; and 18% of the noninstitutionalized participants lived in the countryside. A gap-theoretical account of satisfaction and happiness called 'the Michigan model' was supported for 12 domains (state of health, financial security, kind and frequency of family contact, relationship with spouse, friendships, suitability and atmosphere of housing, area lived in, recreational activites, spiritual fulfillment, self-esteem, convenience of transportation, and provision of government services) and life as a whole. Differences in the constituent patterns for satisfaction and happiness with life as a whole were found for males, females, those who had lived off farming, those who had not, people aged 60-74, and 75 and above. (Author/NEC)