%0 Journal Article
%T Omitted Variables in the Geographical Treatment of Well-Being and Happiness
%A Dragos Simandan
%J Geography Journal
%D 2014
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2014/150491
%X This paper provides a critical engagement with state-of-the-art research from positive psychology and behavioral genetics that directly challenges social geographers¡¯ working hypothesis that people¡¯s well-being and happiness can dramatically be improved by suitably modifying unjust social arrangements and exploitative economic relations. It is intended to generate interest in this neglected body of work in general and awareness of its politically regressive implications in particular. 1. Introduction As social geographers, we work to uncover misconceived and unfair social arrangements that undermine individual and collective well-being [1]. We assume1 that we can substantially increase quality of life and happiness by replacing those nefarious arrangements with better ones [2¨C6]. Yet, our assumption has recently been challenged by a massive body of empirical work in positive psychology2 and behavioral genetics (see the review by [7], and the references cited therein), which suggests that people¡¯s level of happiness depends largely on their genetic3 make-up. In what follows, I review these worrying findings, and then end the paper with some thoughts as to how social geographers could begin to grapple with this politically regressive provocation4. 2. Chance and Happiness Martin Seligman, the founding father of positive psychology, argues ([8¨C10]; see also [11, 12]) that the empirical research on happiness in the last few decades can be conveniently encapsulated in a threefold formula: H = S + C + V, where H is happiness, S is one¡¯s genetic set point5, C includes the geographical-environmental conditions of one¡¯s life, and V refers to factors under voluntary control. The most important and most sobering discovery in the field is that happiness is largely a stochastic phenomenon [13] and that each individual¡¯s emotional states are attracted in the long run by a specific genetic set point [14]. One can force oneself to be cheerful with conscious effort for a longer period but soon after one stops the conscious effort, the average level of mood returns6 to one¡¯s set point [15]. Affective neuroscience has recently uncovered the brain geographies that underpin these different set points. Davidson revealed experimentally ([16]; see also [17]) that a cheerful mood has its neurological correlates in increased left-brain activity, whereas a depressed mood intensifies right-brain activity. His research resonates with Coren¡¯s earlier work on left-handedness [18]. Coren investigated why left-handedness is also called sinistrality and found that the average left-hander
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/geography/2014/150491/