Happiness is ... genetic?
WebMD
Monday, April 14, 2008
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Inheriting happiness
People tend to be hard-wired for happiness, and new genetic research may help explain why.
Past studies suggest that while 50 percent of happiness is because of situational factors such as health, relationships and career, the other 50 percent is genetic. Now, University of Edinburgh researchers have identified largely inherited personality traits that they say are responsible for much of the genetic influence on happiness. Having the right mix of these inherited traits leads to a "reserve" of happiness that can be called on in times of stress, they say.
"Traits like being active, sociable, conscientious and not being overly anxious are related to happiness - and these are also traits that are inherited," says researcher Timothy Bates.
WebMD
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