"There has been a widespread belief among psychologists that happiness is primarily determined by genes and inborn personality characteristics," according to the lead author of the study, Richard Lucas, an associate professor of psychology at Michigan State University.
"This would mean that those who are happy now will also be happy in the future, but that those who are unhappy now will inevitably be unhappy in the future," added Lucas.
The study results may help us to understand why it is that some people are not happy even when good fortune comes their way, yet others stay cheerful even in the worst of circumstances.
Average traits of happiness and contentment were analyzed in the study. Several factors accounted for these traits, especially life changing moments, such as the death of a loved one or a major lottery winning. Daily events affect our happiness as well, but these are short-lived.
Overall long-term satisfaction and happiness were still found to be affected by our genes.
