The Genetics Behind Happiness
Carissa Bersche
insider.com/is-happiness-genetic
Happiness can be broken down to three major categories; life satisfaction, feeling engaged with everyday life, and having a feeling of purpose and meaning. Life satisfaction is linked to life experiences that shape your outlook on future experiences. Feeling engaged can come from fulfilling work, hobbies, or relationships. Lastly, purpose comes from feeling as if you're making a difference and the work that you are doing is important. Despite these environmental factors on happiness, it has been discovered that around 40% of happiness is genetic. The gene 5-HTTLPR was linked to people with higher life satisfaction. Furthermore, a following study of 300,000 people linked happiness to genetic factors. While people may have a predisposition to happiness based on their genetics, environmental factors still make up 60% of overall happiness. Ways to improve happiness include volunteering, exercising, nutrition, exploring nature, being kind, and laughing. It is important to remember that much of happiness is dependent on mindset.
Does it make sense that happiness is impacted so greatly by genetics?
Does it seem possible that other emotions are greatly impacted by genetics?
Do you think that generally families have similar temperaments since they have similar genetics and environment?
Caceres, V. (2020, November 06). Scientists think about 40% of happiness is genetic while the rest comes down to 3 main components. Retrieved November 09, 2020, from https://www.insider.com/is-happiness-genetic
it does make sense that happiness is impacted by genetics because things like depression or other mental imbalances can be and are affected by genetics. I think some chemical imbalances in our brain can be passed down from child to parent, I think that environmental factors can maybe have the genes be a disadvantage if the person were to go through a traumatic experiences.
ReplyDelete-Angeline Upchurch
It does make sense that happiness is impacted by genetics as it has to due with the brain and response, from this it also makes sense for other emotions as well. And lastly yes it could most likely be more environment related but Genetics most likely play a role
ReplyDelete-Tyler A.
It makes sense that happiness is so strongly related to genetics. Although we think about environmental factors, the way our bodies transport chemicals plays an equally significant role in happiness. It seems probable that other emotions are greatly impacted by our genetics, as the way chemicals are transported also impacts other emotions. I have noticed some similarities in my temperament in relation to my families, however, I also notice several notable differences.
ReplyDelete- Carissa Bersche
It does make sense because our brain controls our emotions, and our emotions depend on the chemical balances in our brains. It is interesting that 40% of our happiness is genetic, because I also read a study once that said depression is 40% genetic so it makes sense that they correspond. Environmental factors do play a major role in terms of happiness. If you have gone through multiple traumatic experiences or had a traumatic childhood, that definitely affects your capacity to feel happy. I do notice some similar temperaments in my family but I would say more different than alike.
ReplyDeleteTrinity Mathis
This all makes sense because I remember watching a documentary on an inmate named Cyntoia Brown and her mother was bipolar and had manic depression. While Cyntoia was still in the womb her mother consumed a lot of alcohol. Consuming a lot of alcohol while pregnant not only caused Fetal Alcohol Syndrome disorder in her daughter, but Cyntoia also inherited her mother's Bipolar disorder.
ReplyDelete-Ilori
It makes sense that happiness can be effected by genetics as many other factors like mental and physical health are also affected by genetics. When I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes I was asked if anyone else in my family had diabetes or if anyone in my family had thyroid, so it makes perfect sense that just as everything else happiness can be impacted by the genes passed on to you.
ReplyDelete-Raquel Morgens
I think it is very possible that happiness is affected by genetics because happiness, along with other emotions, are based upon certain structures of the brain and the chemicals it secretes. Depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses can be genetic so it's very feasible that the happiness levels within a person is also genetic. -Shirin Saha
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