Exploring the Happiness gene

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to smile more, laugh more, and are generally much happier than you? Why do some people see a glass half filled with water as being half-empty whilst others see it as half full?

This is often most noticeable with a husband and wife when one is a 'half empty' type and the other is a 'half full' type. When one is a pessimist and the other is an optimist.

This is true of my marriage. My Omani wife is the optimist and I am, or so she insists, a pessimist. I disagree with my wife’s description of me. I see myself as a realist. I feel a bit like a doctor who has the difficult task of telling his patient two bits of news, one very bad and one not so bad. So let us leave the not-so-bad bit to the last and hopefully, allow you to walk away with a smile or in my case a half smile on your face.

An influential article in the Review of General Psychology concluded that much of what makes us happy is inherited from our parents. It came to this conclusion by studying identical twins separated at birth and noting that happy or happier parents often give birth to children who grow up to be happier adults, whilst less happy parents often produce less happy progeny.

It stated that 50 per cent of one’s achievable happiness level is inherited from your parents, 10 per cent depends on one’s circumstances, and 40 per cent on 'intentional activity.'

For us pessimists, the idea that genetics decide how happy you can become in later life no matter what you do comes as no surprise. The introduction of more sophisticated anti-depressants in the last few decades has quite literally been a lifesaver for many.

The question of nature versus nurture cannot be discounted and nurture surely must have some influence on one’s ability to lead a happy or more contented life.

Even if you have parents, who are both pessimists but give you love, support, and security in your early years this might dissipate some of that genetically predetermined unhappiness or at least improve your chances of leading a happier adult life.

Nevertheless, as the title of this article suggests some of us are more disposed to being happier than others are. As a disclaimer, I should state that many experts in this field have rightly pointed out that owing to the many variables at play it is simplistic to give such accurate percentages in these matters.

So let us just say that there is enough evidence for us to accept that your genes play a big part in how contented or happy you will be in your adult life.

Now for the not-such-bad news.

Over a period of 80 years, Harvard University carried out the largest study ever on what makes people happier or more content. The results were surprising.

As part of their study, the Harvard researchers surveyed a large number of their students to discover what they hoped for in life. Most usually at some point mentioned happiness or money. For many these two words were synonymous in their minds.

In other words, they thought that having more money was not only a mark of success but would bring them more happiness. One of the more interesting discoveries that came out of the study was that the amount of money they hoped to earn was less important than how their earnings compared to what other people earned.

When given the choice of earning say $80,000 a year when everyone else only earned $70,000 or earning $100,000 when everyone else earned $110,000, most preferred to earn the lesser amount. It was not so much about the amount of money they earned but how much they earned compared to others.

In Richard Layard’s excellent book 'Happiness,' he agrees that when earning money it is a person’s point of reference that matters most. Using the analogy of Olympic medalists he states that the silver medalist is often less happy than the bronze medalist.

The silver medalist is disappointed at not achieving gold whilst the bronze medalist compares himself to all those competitors who achieved no medal at all.

Most researchers conclude that whilst, all things being equal, it is better to have money rather than be poor because money gives access to products, experiences, and most also conclude that wealthier people are not happier.

Over the last 100 years, the highly industrialised countries of Japan, the UK, and the US have seen a huge increase in their GDP resulting in their people having more money.

However contrary to expectations cases of suicides and depression have increased not decreased. The Harvard researchers discovered that the thing above all else that resulted in the most happiness was having good family and social relationships. Good health is also important. Committing acts of compassion, kindness, and generosity towards others was also shown to make people happier.

Lottery winners have occasionally discovered that sudden riches can be a burden leading to unhappiness. They often become detached from their less wealthy family members and friends.

Some also try to hold on to their unexpected windfall of money rather than becoming more generous to others. Add to that the tendency for some to overeat less healthily and drink more alcohol and you have a recipe for an unhappy life.

The Beatles’ song 'Can’t Buy Me Love' had the lyrics 'I don't care too much for money, money can’t buy me love', was perhaps more profound than they could ever have known.