Why do some people let troubles roll off their shoulders, while others dwell on each problem? New imaging, genetic, and biochemical research is helping provide the answer. Researchers are examining mood and emotion with scientific rigor, which could one day lead to greater understanding of the biology of anger, happiness, and love.
Recent studies explore how aggressive animals differ from docile ones and how animals that mate for life differ from those that seek multiple mates. In people, imaging studies are identifying the brain regions associated with laughter, love, and aggression. Ongoing studies could shed light on disorders that affect mood, including psychiatric conditions such as depression, euphoria, and bipolar disorder.