Extraversion is a complex factor composed of distinct facets such as sociability, assertiveness, activity, and positive emotions, which follow different maturational patterns (39, 62) and show different patterns of sex differences (63). We found them to have distinct associations with longevity. Given that social engagement and social activity have been found to be associated with lower risk of death (64, 65), it could be expected that the Sociability scale would be associated with longevity. However, the present BLSA study and the Terman study (33) found no such association. This null finding suggests that involvement in social networks might have health benefits independent from the individual’s intrinsic disposition. Ascendance, the assertive or dominant component of Extraversion, was found to be associated with lower risk of death among women. Most important, we found that active, energetic, fast-paced individuals live longer, which is consistent with evidence that physical activity reduces the risk of all-cause mortality (66–68). The effect sizes we observed – with active individuals living about two and half years longer – is in line with evidence from direct measures of physical
