http://newsroom.ucr.edu/news_item.html?action=page&id=1958
In my Healthy Psych class I am currently taking, we read an article on conscientiousness increasing longevity in elderly people. I thought it was interesting and decided to find another article supporting the one I read in class.
The article I found was called "Conscientious People Live Longer" done by Howard S. Friedman, professor of psychology, and Margaret L. Kern, a graduate student at the University of California, Riverside. In the article, Friedman states, "...conscientious individuals have better health habits and less risk-taking, but they also travel life pathways toward healthier psychosocial environments..." Friedman and Kern found three specific facets of conscientiousness: responsibility/self-control (responsible, not implusive); order (organized, disciplined); and achievement (achievement-oriented, persistent). From their meta-analysis they also found achievement and order were the strongest components for linking conscientiousness and longevity.
This article intrigued me because I am interested in learning how conscientiousness, achievement, and order help increase the longevity of peoples' lives. I feel like conscientious people are more intrinsically motivated to live healthier lives and focus on making healthy, not reckless, decisions. After reading about Atkinson's model on achievement goals in the book, I think conscientious people are motivated by mastering their goals. They will continually work to improve themselves and overcome challenges in order to make progess in their lives to reach their "standard of excellence" (Reeve, pg. 183, 2009). Friedman and Kern also found that highly conscientious people, on the average, live two to four years longer than low conscientious people. Highly conscientious people also seem to live more stable lives and less stressful lives.
Leave a comment