Genetics+of+Happiness

=**__Hereditary Happiness : The Genetics Behind Happiness __**=

= = Is our happiness in any way affected by our genetics? Does hereditary happiness exist?

Black, brown, blond or red hair; blue, brown, or green eyes; we receive many physical characteristics from our parents through genetics. In the last century, people have also been examining some of the personality traits or habits that we also attain through the adults around us. Are they in any way correlated to genetics? One even newer question being, does our genetics affect our happiness? It is crazy to think that genes, which determine how tall we will grow to be, could also effect something as subjective as happiness. There are, however, many studies concerning this topic being conducted throughout the world. "Born Happy" Genetic Study 1  explores some of the history behind this newer branch of science and genetics. Many researchers, in order to maintain validity and find an actual hereditary or genetic component to happiness, have been studying twins. Pairs of identical, fraternal, same sex, and different gender are all included. Genetic Links to Happiness 2  and Genetic Links to Happiness 2 3  both explain such studies. Interestingly enough, because this is young branch of the revolutionary "positive psychology" of science, there have been no hard conclusions that all psychologists or scientists can agree with. Most of the studies have concluded that there is indeed a genetic correlation between happiness, and one English group has even found the "Happy gene". Happiness Gene Found By Psychologists 4  The hereditary gene is involved in the transportation of the hormone <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Serotonin <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; vertical-align: super;">5 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">, also known as the "wellbeing chemical" Future studies will be able to narrow the focus more to either that specific gene, or other hereditary components. The scientists simply differ in view as to how much genetics actually affect happiness, while some declare it is approximately 50% of determining one's happiness, other's simply cannot determine a "normal" or "average" amount at the time. There are high hopes for the happiness gene, and many studies are being conducted on this current theory.

1. http://www.estebancalvo.com/files/teaching_files/Genetics_v2.pdf 2. [] 3. [] 4. [] 5. link to the "Happiness and Hormones" page

=<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 27px;">__<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">More In-Depth Summaries of Sources __ = <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">

Born Happy: How Much Does Genetics Determine Our Happiness Throughout our Lives? Summary: "Contrary ti the argument that genetics determines one's sustainable happiness is the position that happiness changes throughout one's life as a result of life circumstances and intentional activities. Therefore, one is not simply born with a permanent disposition to happiness as genetics research suggest. Sociologists have conducted studies and research to demonstrate how individuals' lives are notably shaped by the events, circumstances, intentions and goals that may occur throughout their lives." The paper also explores the history behind trying to discover a genetic correlation to happiness. They conclude that genetics is indeed a part of determining happiness, however the amount or percentage is still debatable. "Born Happy" Genetics Study <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; vertical-align: super;">1 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">

Researchers looked at happiness and personality data of more than 900 twin pairs to research the genetics behind happiness. "They identified evidence for common genes which result in certain personality traits and predispose people to happiness." They did however state that nonetheless, almost 50% of a persons happiness is due to external factors such as relationships, health, and careers. Dr Alexander Weiss, of the University of Edinburgh’s School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, who led the research said: “Together with life and liberty, the pursuit of happiness is a core human desire. Although happiness is subject to a wide range of external influences we have found that there is a heritable component of happiness which can be entirely explained by genetic architecture of personality.” This paper also clearly explains some of the other theories involving the genetics behind happiness. The paper concluded that it is indeed necessary to take genetics into account and foresees more scientists taking this under consideration when more valid studies have been conducted. Genetic Links to Hapiness <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; vertical-align: super;">2 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">

This is an article on the same study by the University of Edinburg in the UK, sadly the entire study is no longer available to be viewed online, but feel free to contact Joan Morrison on the page for more information. Genetic Links to Happiness 2 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; vertical-align: super;">3 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">

Happiness Gene Found By Psychologists Psychologists with Elaine Fox and her colleagues at the University of Essex believe that they have found a gene that may influence happiness. The gene is involved in the transportation of the "wellbeing chemical", serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical "that transmits messages between nerve cells in the brain (a neurotransmitter), and the transporter moves serotonin into the nerve cells. The serotonin transporter gene is known to have a variation in the part of the brain that controls the gene's activity (a promoter)." The results if various studied showed that people carrying this strain of the gene tended to pay attention to more positive pictures and took longer to even identify the negative pictures. The variation exists in two forms: "a 'short' form and a 'long' form." Genetics may be more involved in ones happiness than many assume. Read more here- Happiness Gene Found By Psychologists 4

1. http://www.estebancalvo.com/files/teaching_files/Genetics_v2.pdf 2. [] 3. [] 4. []