Buzz
Ignorance doesn't always equal happiness.
©iStockphoto.com/EyeJoyKey Insights
- Our happiness is influenced in part by our genetics, with around half of our happiness potential being passed down from our parents.
- Personal characteristics like being low-stress, sociable, and conscientious are linked to higher levels of happiness, implying that optimism and meaningful social bonds help people recover faster from negative experiences.
- Positive psychology suggests that cultivating positive emotions such as optimism, gratitude, and mindfulness can improve overall happiness, which might also lead to greater creativity, cognitive abilities, and even longer life expectancy.
As the saying goes, ignorance is bliss.
Take, for example, the victims of Bernie Madoff's notorious Ponzi scheme. Before they learned their wealth had evaporated, you can be sure those individuals were a lot happier. In reality, they never had as much money as they believed, but their perception of wealth likely provided a sense of security against life's frustrations. When it comes to personal finance, facing reality can be painful. A study in the Journal of Consumer Affairs revealed that people often overestimate, rather than underestimate, their financial standing [source: Trejos]. Those who misjudge their financial health are more likely to suffer from poor money management.
In both of these cases, the issue wasn't necessarily ignorance, but rather a lack of awareness. What you don’t know can’t hurt you — at least, not until you realize the truth. But what about real ignorance? Does intelligence come with the added burden of unhappiness? Does knowing more make it harder to enjoy life?
A 2005 study on intelligence and emotional well-being at the University of Edinburgh found no direct connection between intelligence and happiness [source: Edelson]. The research showed that greater intelligence can be a double-edged sword when it comes to happiness. Smarter individuals are better equipped to take care of themselves, yet they often find themselves striving for more and feeling less content with their current achievements. At lower income levels, acquiring resources may have a bigger impact on happiness, but these effects are not long-lasting. Just like the initial excitement of a new romance, the joy eventually fades.
In the University of Edinburgh study, the most important factor for self-reported happiness wasn't intelligence, but quality of life. A brilliant person confined to a bed is unlikely to be as happy as someone with average intelligence who can still lead an active life. Since quality of life involves many external factors like location, education, and socioeconomic background, it raises an important question: If happiness is an inner feeling, what internal qualities contribute to it?
Where Happiness Comes From
Approximately fifty percent of an individual's happiness is shaped by their genetics.
©iStockphoto/Studio1OneYou could likely come up with a list of things you believe would bring you happiness. Maybe it involves getting promoted at work, buying a new car, or finding someone to love. However, the reality is that when it comes to happiness, about half of it is determined by biology.
The genetic traits we inherit from our parents play a key role in shaping our personalities. Research has shown that these inherited characteristics account for about fifty percent of our overall happiness [source: West]. Some people are naturally more content with life, while others are more inclined to seek out novelty. Scientists believe that happiness isn't governed by a single gene, but rather the combination of genetic factors that can make it easier to shift from sadness to joy.
To understand which genetic traits contribute to happiness, psychologists studied nearly 1,000 pairs of twins. The genetic similarities between the twins allowed the researchers to identify shared inherited characteristics [source: LiveScience]. From this study, psychologists found that individuals who are low-stress, sociable, and conscientious tend to have the greatest emotional flexibility. Think of happiness like emotional elasticity: Optimistic individuals with strong social ties recover from setbacks more quickly, while pessimistic and introverted people may take longer to bounce back.
Luckily, humans are not completely bound by their genetic makeup. There are numerous ways for even the most cynical people to experience happiness. While intelligence doesn't significantly impact intrinsic happiness, it does take some mental effort to train your mindset to focus on the positive. In fact, a newer branch of psychology is dedicated to understanding how people can actively cultivate happiness in their lives.
Originally developed by Martin Seligman, former president of the American Psychological Association, positive psychology focuses on how emotions like optimism, gratitude, and mindfulness shape our overall happiness and sense of fulfillment. The idea is simple: by practicing these qualities, people can enhance their happiness. Engaging in social activities, performing kind deeds, and setting meaningful goals, for example, should lead to greater joy.
As a bonus, happiness might even make you smarter. Studies in neuroscience have demonstrated that positive emotions encourage wider thinking and enhance creativity. Additionally, happiness contributes to a longer life. By relieving the negative effects of stress, the happiest individuals are often those who live the longest.
Now, that’s a reason to smile.
