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Some people always seem to have sunny outlooks, while others never stop complaining. Naturally, scientists have asked why

In a study, University of Minnesota researchers David Lykken and Auke Tellegen analysed well-being questionnaires answered by 254 twins over a 10-year period. They found that identical twins' (同卵双胞胎)happiness was much closely paired over time than that of fraternal twins (异卵 双胞胎).In a smaller sample of twins separated in infancy (婴儿期)and raised apart—removing the influence of a shared environment—the effect was slightly more pronounced. The authors went on to calculate that about 50 per cent of happiness genetic. The scientific community is still arguing about the exact number; but the basic finding is widely accepted.

If a large part of happiness is genetic, does that mean the rest can be acquired by upgrading your job, your house or where you live?

Decades of research support the theory of hedonic adaptation (享乐适应),sometimes called "happiness treadmill (快乐水车理论)":after negative and positive life changes, individuals tend to return to a baseline level of well-being. One study examined 3,658 Germans who moved into new houses because they were frustrated with their old ones. Housing satisfaction generally rose in the first year and then began falling, though remained higher than before the move. But life satisfaction remained unchanged. Other studies have found that spikes in well-being after marriage, or a job promotion tend to fade within months. On the flip side, even after calamitous changes like widowhood, disability, and job loss, happiness usually trend upward again (although slowly and with more variability).

In other words, chasing material life changes doesn’t offer much joy. Does that mean happiness is out of our control? Not at all, says Sonja Lyubomirsky, a psychology professor at the University of California, Riverside and the author of The Myths of Happiness. After conducting a review of 51 "happiness interventions"—including writing letters of gratitude, counting one's blessings and practicing random acts of kindness—Lyubomirsky and her co-author, Nancy L. Sin, found that these simple activities had a significance effect on well-being. In addition, enjoying positive experiences tended to increase appreciation of them.

"Happiness is not something where you either have it or you don't. You definitely can do something about it," says Lyubomirsky.

1.What does the theory of Hedonic adaptation refer to?

A.A person's happiness grows over time.

B.A person, tend to be happier when positive changes occur.

C.A person tends to be less happy when negative changes occur.

D.A person's long term happiness is not significantly affected by any event.

2.What does the underlined word “calamitous” in paragraph 4 mean?

A.significant. B.disastrous

C.gradual. D.constant

3.Which of the following may Soja Lyubomirsky agree with?

A.He who makes others happy is truly happy.

B.Joy and sorrow are next-door neighbors.

C.Man is the master of his happiness.

D.Joys shared with others are more enjoyed.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题

少年,再来一题如何?
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