Happiness is in the genes

Mar 5 2008

Scientists from Scotland and Australia say being happy in life could be all about having the right genetic mix.

A study by psychologists at the University of Edinburgh and researchers at Queensland Institute for Medical Research in Australia has found that happiness is partly determined by personality traits and that both personality and happiness are largely hereditary.

They reached this conclusion by using a framework which rates personalities, called the Five-Factor Model on data gathered regarding personality and happiness on more than 900 identical and non-identical twin pairs.

Twin studies are interesting, because identical twins are genetically exactly the same, while fraternal twins are not, and it is possible, by comparing the results from the two groups to calculate how strongly influenced a particular trait is by genetics.

For the study the researchers looked for people who tended not to worry, and who were sociable and conscientious.

They found that people who do not excessively worry, and who are sociable and conscientious tend to be happier and they suggest this personality mix can act as a buffer when bad things happen.

They identified evidence for common genes which result in certain personality traits and predispose people to happiness and say their findings suggest that those lucky enough to have inherited the right personality mix have an 'affective reserve' of happiness which can be called upon in stressful times or in times of recovery.

The researchers also say that while happiness has its roots in our genes, around 50 per cent of the differences between people in their life happiness is still down 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 says life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness is a core human desire.

Dr. Weiss says although happiness is subject to a wide range of external influence, an inherited component of happiness can be entirely explained by genetic architecture of personality.

The study is published in the March issue of Psychological Science.