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Certain 'Personality Genes' Correlate With Longevity, Says Study

Posted by Soulskill on from the i'm-sure-the-not-getting-in-bar-fights-gene-helps dept.

An anonymous reader writes "People who are outgoing, optimistic, easygoing, and have a good sense of humor and a large social network are likely to live longer than others who don't possess these personality traits, according to new research (abstract). The study reveals how saying, 'It's in their genes' could refer to more than just genetic variations that give a physiological advantage, like having high levels of HDL ('good') cholesterol, because people with positive personality traits appear to live longer than those who do not."

8 of 72 comments (clear)

  1. Uh Oh. by ColdWetDog · · Score: 5, Funny

    optimistic, easygoing, and have a good sense of humor and a large social network

    Well, we here at Slashdot might as well go out and jump off a bridge. Really.

    We're doomed.

    --
    Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
    1. Re:Uh Oh. by GoodNewsJimDotCom · · Score: 4, Funny

      I'm trying to invent a sense of humor so good that I will live forever.

      I just need to be careful to not to stumble across The funniest joke in the world

      --
      God spoke to me
    2. Re:Uh Oh. by digitig · · Score: 4, Interesting

      It did strike me that that was one reason people with positive personalities would live longer. Their suicide rate is likely to be lower. Also people who feel they have a lot to live for tend to be more careful driving and so on. Does the study distinguish between natural causes of death and all causes? (It's probably in the RA, but this is /. so I'm not going to read that, am I?)

      --
      Quidnam Latine loqui modo coepi?
    3. Re:Uh Oh. by digitig · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Do you really think that texting behind the wheel is a sign of a healthy social life? Or of somebody who is desperate for approval?

      --
      Quidnam Latine loqui modo coepi?
  2. That's a relief by metacell · · Score: 5, Funny

    Life as an introverted, brooding pessimist with no friends or sense of humour is hell, but at least it won't last as long.

  3. Re:How surprising by ne0n · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Bullshit. I submit as anecdotal evidence my finding that the super-old number disproportionately among the crankiest people I know.

    --
    $ :(){ :|:& };:
  4. Re:4 out of 5 by dgatwood · · Score: 4, Funny

    Why buy now when you can wait six months and buy a controlling stake for less than a burger and some fries?

    --

    Check out my sci-fi/humor trilogy at PatriotsBooks.

  5. Being born into the strong big family by elucido · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The best opportunities go to those born into strong big families. This is the large social network the study is talking about.
    This isn't necessarily a gene because there isn't a specific gene we can identify which determines the size of someones social network, it's more some people are in the lucky sperm club and some are not.

    If you're born into a big wealthy family you'll likely have a large social network, be more outgoing, etc simply because you were born into the environment which rewards that. If you're born into a small poor family none of those traits will be as beneficial. Being funny for instance wont help you if you don't have the large social network to begin with. Being outgoing wont help you if you've got fewer people to be outgoing with. There are too many variables here to conclude genes rather than environment and "luck" determine longevity in this instance.