According to the article, "Happiness Is Mostly Genetic", happiness is greatly influenced by inherited factors. Studies have proven that environmental factors have very little to do with an individual's happiness. David Lykken conducted a study to measure how separated twins described personal contentment with their life. Approximately 60 percent of twins that were separated at birth described their lives as happy, despite living in different environments. Genes form personalities; therefore, the twins that describe themselves as happy were "genetically programed". Science Daily reports similar findings with twins separated at birth. Science Daily's article explains happiness is 50% inherited and 50% external factors. Those who inherit happiness have an "affective reserve" in times of distress. I always felt external factors played a larger role in happiness . The two studies that observed separated twins was quite convincing. It provided evidence that environment has little to do with happiness, and genetics seems to have a greater impact. After reading the two articles I agree that genetics has a great influence on personality and happiness.Sunday, January 22, 2012
Genetically Happy?
According to the article, "Happiness Is Mostly Genetic", happiness is greatly influenced by inherited factors. Studies have proven that environmental factors have very little to do with an individual's happiness. David Lykken conducted a study to measure how separated twins described personal contentment with their life. Approximately 60 percent of twins that were separated at birth described their lives as happy, despite living in different environments. Genes form personalities; therefore, the twins that describe themselves as happy were "genetically programed". Science Daily reports similar findings with twins separated at birth. Science Daily's article explains happiness is 50% inherited and 50% external factors. Those who inherit happiness have an "affective reserve" in times of distress. I always felt external factors played a larger role in happiness . The two studies that observed separated twins was quite convincing. It provided evidence that environment has little to do with happiness, and genetics seems to have a greater impact. After reading the two articles I agree that genetics has a great influence on personality and happiness.
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First, I really have to say I like this article because I always have believed that environment has the biggest role when it comes to a persons happiness....i guess its not entirely true. I mean things and people around make you happy or sad but it does make sense that happiness can be inherited cause depression is inherited right? also the fact that as growing up i have seen children really happy because their parents are always positive and happy people so i guess it can be passed along as well.
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