The role of genes and environment in shaping personality and happiness from "summary" of The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt
Genes play a significant role in shaping our personalities, determining about half of the variation in our temperament. This means that some people are naturally more cheerful, outgoing, or anxious than others due to their genetic makeup. However, this does not mean that our genes are our destiny. While they provide a predisposition towards certain traits, our environment also plays a crucial role in determining how these genes manifest in our personalities. Our environment, including our upbringing, culture, and life experiences, can either enhance or diminish the effects of our genetic predispositions. For example, a child with a genetic predisposition towards anxiety may develop coping mechanisms through a supportive and nurturing environment, while the same child in a chaotic and neglectful environment may struggle with severe anxiety issues. Therefore, it is the interaction between our genes and environment that ultimately shapes our personalities and happiness. It is important to note that the relationship between genes and environm...
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