Happiness, it’s been said, is the goal of all human endeavor. Why else do we strive to improve medicine, strengthen economies, raise literacy, lower poverty, or fight prejudice? It all boils down to improving human well-being.
Psychologists have conducted hundreds of studies about the correlates of well-being. You might think well-being is determined by your circumstances—such as the size of your social circle or your paycheck. These factors are important, but it turns out a far stronger role is played by your personality.