Do people make environments or do environments make people?

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.x

Keyword(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