Does sociability contribute to longevity? Sociability seems like a reasonable factor in determining a person’s longevity – more sociable means more friendships and more emotional support. According to this book, it has been found that high sociability does not predict long life. Dr. Terman looked at scientists and found that scientists in general are less sociable than nonscientists yet scientists tend to outlive the nonscientist. The scientists tend to have more stable jobs, longer lasting marriages, and generally work in a more responsible manner than, for instance, businessmen.
The chapter discusses emotional sociability where the author makes a distinction between sociability and emotional sociability which is being able to express your emotions to others. Maybe scientists who are less sociable had better emotional skills making it easier to express their emotions which in turn contributes to long marriages and good family relationships. Whereas businessmen who are more sociable, it could be reasonable to say that they have to be outgoing to communicate to do their job and less likely to express their true emotions. It also discusses that people who are sociable are more likely to go along with social pressures and drink and smoke more. People who are less social and more conscientious were more likely to behave in healthier ways.