Citation
Rowe, D. C. (2001). Do people make environments or do environments make people?.
Ann N Y Acad Sci. vol. 935 pp. 62-74
Abstract
This article discusses the influence of people's genetic make-up on their mental states of happiness and depression. Contrary to the conventional wisdom, great fortune does not guarantee happiness; neither does great misfortune assure depression. Emotional states are surprisingly immune to "objective" social circumstances. A biological basis for this relative immunity is that people possess biological set points for these emotional states, rendering the effects of most life events transitory. Genotypes also have indirect effects. People react differently to psychological stressors depending on their genotypes. A susceptible person may succumb to depression, whereas a resilient person may remain unaffected. People also expose themselves to different social environments. Exposure to controllable life events is partly a result of genetic predispositions. Consilience requires that this biological individuality be considered in any understanding of human behavior, including the pursuit of happiness.
URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2001.tb03471.xKeyword(s)
Affect
Notes
Rowe, D C
Reference Type
Journal Article
Journal Title
Ann N Y Acad Sci
Author(s)
Rowe, D. C.
Year Published
2001
Volume Number
935
Pages
62-74
Edition
2001/06/20
DOI
10.1111/j.1749-6632.2001.tb03471.x
Reference ID
1800