1. Happiness Is a Skill Key: AWL to Study, Low-frequency Vocabulary In what ways could happiness be considered a skill?

2. Research on Happiness An explosion in the research on happiness has occurred over the last decade. Scientists have charted regions of the brain implicated in a positive disposition. linked to meditation and mindfulness Do you meditate? Why or why not?

3. Happiness Set Point Researchers say that each person has a happiness set point: influenced by genetic and environmental factors. However, happiness is also a skill that can be learned. How is happiness under ones control?

4. Genetic Predisposition Neuroscientists pinpoint brain regions: left prefrontal cortex corresponds to positive frame of mind right prefrontal cortex coincides with negative emotional state dopamine relays information to left prefrontal cortex people with more sensitive dopamine receptors are cheerful. Predisposition to happiness clearly observed in infants. some babies have naturally higher activity in left prefrontal cortex

5. Environmental Influences Up until the end of adolescence have a profound effect on persons happiness set point brain is highly changeable Nurturing parents can raise set point; critical parents can lower it considerably. What other types of environmental factors could affect a persons happiness? Explain.

6. Happiness Set Point Emotional baseline Life circumstances do not permanently alter ones temperament. Individuals return to their emotional baseline once the novelty of an event (winning the lottery or losing a partner) has passed. Do you believe that life circumstances do not permanently alter ones emotional baseline?

7. Brain Plasticity in Adulthood Studies of Buddhist monks credited with 10,000–50,000 hours of meditation experience left prefrontal brain activity vastly higher than ever seen before. Do you believe that meditation can increase ones happiness?

8. StressedBiotech Professionals Stressed Biotech Professionals mindfulness meditation training monitor feelings and thoughts and drop negative ones greater activity in right prefrontal cortex before training brain activity shifted left post-training Do you believe that mindfulness meditation can improve your health? Explain.

9. Twins Researchers compiled data on twins and baseline happiness 50% of baseline happiness is genetic 10% is due to life circumstances 40% is due to attitude Do you think you have a positive attitude towards life? Explain.

10. Happiness Trainer Provides brain wave feedback so people can learn to induce a positive frame of mind Session begins with a pleasing film. As brain waves shift to happier mode, film image grows larger, providing positive feedback. Happiness is a skill. requires practice and persistence Would you like to try the happiness trainer? Explain.