Provide a 6 pages analysis while answering the following question: What Predict Happiness in Life. Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide. An abstract is requ

Provide a 6 pages analysis while answering the following question: What Predict Happiness in Life. Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide. An abstract is required. Still others get married and have families because they believe there can never be absolute happiness without a family. It is undeniable that happiness is central to human life. People have often resorted to different methods to fulfill the insatiable thirst for happiness. It is, therefore, worth asking what precisely determines happiness. A study by Lyubomirsky showed that human happiness is determined by three distinct factors, genes, life circumstances, and a person’s intentional activities (21). Doctor Lyubomirsky further rated the determinants as, 50% genes, 40% intentional activities, and 10% life circumstances (21). According to Lyubomirsky, the 5-HTT gene releases chemicals into the brain that influence happiness. Further, her research revealed that these genes assist nerve cells in neutralizing serotine, a brain chemical responsible for mood and depression. According to the gene theory, people have no control over what determines their happiness. If you are born without the “happiness” gene, you are bound to remain unhappy all your life. The theory, therefore, gives no hope to persons with no 5-HTT genes. A further research by Musgrave showed that genes affect our perceptions (15). Since perception influence how happy one becomes, genes, therefore, directly affect happiness. Personality is another factor in this category that determines how happy one can be. Research has proven that those who score high on extraversion, and low on neuroticism tend to be happy. They tend to have fewer stressors in life. Their attitude towards problems is positive and negative things have negligible influence on their happiness. Due to their outlook on life, they will seem to identify only with things that have a positive effect to their mood. The intentional activities, which account for 40% of human happiness as suggested by Lyubomirsky, are numerous. First and most importantly is how we build our social relationships. The common saying, no man is an island, holds water. Meaningful relationships with friends and family determine one’s self worth. How well one is able to deal with social relationships, gives them a sense of control over their lives. This realization makes them happy, as they believe they are in control of what happens to them. Seligman who claims that our feelings of being treasured and wanted by close friends and relatives can change how we think and perceive, supports this idea (37). A feeling of safety especially physical safety is among the predictors of happiness. From Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, safety needs are fundamental needs that should be fulfilled before other needs are achieved (Smoke 139). It is the second need on the hierarchy after physiological needs. When one is facing real or imagined danger, there is usually a feeling of apprehension. The psychological state of one is, therefore, unstable resulting to unhappiness. Among the core conditions of happiness, therefore, is the feeling of physical safety and security. Education level also forms part of the list of happiness predictors. Choosing to pursue higher education like attaining a Doctor of Philosophy, exude a greater degree of self-confidence, which leads to respect from different circles in the society. This respect brings tremendous joy and satisfaction. The mere feeling of recognition is happiness in itself . This is contrary for those who have low academic achievement, as they are not recognized. As a result, the less educated individuals feel less importance and worth to the society. For other people, having a family is a principal determinant of happiness.