The Happy Science

What is The Science of Happiness?

The science of happiness is the study of positive experiences and traits that promote wellbeing. It studies influencing factors of happiness, how to measure it and how to apply it. 

Birth of The Science of Happiness

Happiness: a state of well being or contentment. 

 The happy science was born unexpectedly. 

When scientists stumbled upon the science of happiness, they were focused on sorting out a completely different conundrum.  They were interested in discovering if nature or nurture was more impactful in the way someone turned out. 

Minnesota Twin Study

In 1979, psychologist Thomas J Bouchard and his team began the Minnesota Twin Study that lasted for two decades. During this study, they observed 137 pairs of twins who were separated as early as birth and reunited as late as their 30’s (Lilienfield, 2016). One twin was raised with their biological parents while the other was raised by an adoptive family. 

It is noteworthy that 81 of the pairs were identical twins and 56 pairs were fraternal twins. Since identical twins are genetic carbon copies, they played an essential role in the discovery I am about to share. 

Bouchard and his team’s  extensive study revealed that 48% of our happiness is inherited. Despite being raised in different environments, the twins shared many commonalities when it came to their happiness and choices. 

This discovery is the birthplace of the Science of Happiness. 

The Minnesota Twin Study revealed a critical piece of the happiness puzzle but that was only the beginning. Read more about the other pieces in  The Formula: A Happy Cheat Sheet. 

Why is it Important? 

“‘Happiness is a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.’” (Brooks, 2013)

 Many of us spend our lives in pursuit of happiness. It can seem like the goal post is ever changing. Just as if you are about to catch a butterfly and it escapes right through your fingertips. 

The struggle in the pursuit is figuring out how you define happiness and forging your own path to attain it. However, those two objectives are easier said than done. 

Figuring out your definition of happiness is a matter of trial and error. Sometimes we try to take shortcuts to avoid the trials. So we lean on social media, our friend groups, and elders to tell us what defines happiness. 

This would be an example of pursuing the butterfly. Sometimes it leads to a moment of content but, most often we find ourselves looking for more. The cycle of looking for more or pursuing the butterfly does not stop until you sit down quietly.

When we sit down quietly, we are able to clear the clamor of everything around us and think clearly. In these moments, we have the chance to ask ourselves, “Am I content?” “What am I looking for?” “When will I be satisfied?”  This is where creating your own definition of happiness begins. This is where the butterfly may alight upon you. 

The happy science is important because it gives guidelines for how to ask yourself  questions that help you with that definition. This science gives insight into the role of your environment, genetics, choices, etc. so you are equipped with tools to forge your own path to happiness. 

Citations

Brooks, Arthur. C (2013). A formula for happiness. The New York Times.

https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/15/opinion/sunday/a-formula-for-happiness.html

Lilienfeld, S. O. (2016). Minnesota study of twins reared apart. Communicating Psychological Science.

https://www.communicatingpsychologicalscience.com/blog/minnesota-study-of-twins-reared-apart