A study conducted by a Michigan State psychologist, Richard Lucas, and published in the April issue of Current Directions in Psychological Science, revealed that marriage tended to only boost individuals spirits for about two years.

The study showed that after those two years spouses were just as happy as they were when they were single. The larger findings in the study revealed that good fortunes in life only temporarily altered emotions. So if you are eager to be promoted to the next level in your job—remember that it might only keep you content for two years. What about the car you’ve been dreaming of?

One interesting finding of the study showed that both divorce and unemployment sometimes had irreversible affects on the emotions of individuals.

So what really makes us happy? Are we just born happy or sad?