You say you're happy because you're in love, and you like your job. New research says you'd be just as happy -- alone and unemployed. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, the discovery of "happy DNA" and why it has everyone smiling. Also, author Thomas Moore explains his enchantment with everyday life. And a history of boredom -- that won't put you to sleep.

David Lykken teaches psychology at the University of Minnesota. He tells Judith Strasser about studies involving thousands of twins which indicate that our capacity for happiness has a genetic origin and that within six months of an event provoking great happiness or unhapiness, people revert to their "normal" state of happiness. Also, Martin Seligman teaches psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and is the author of "The Optimistic Child." He tells Steve Paulson that often depression in children can be prevented and gives some pointers on what parents should do.

Thomas Moore is a former professor of religion and psychology and the author of "The Re-Enchantment of Everyday Life." He tells Steve Paulson that people need to slow down and become enchanted by the world.

Patricia Meyer Spacks chairs the English Department at the University of Virginia and is the author of "Boredom: The Literary History of a State of Mind." She tells Jim Fleming that boredom is a fairly recent invention and that we tend to think there's something lacking in the imaginative development of people who are easily bored.

Distribution dates:

• week of 05/24/98 - hour 3