5 surprising facts about you and me

Scientists have figured out which traits can be identified by the smell, who has more sex, and who live longer.

1. Your character can be identified by smell

according to a studyDoes Personality Smell? Accuracy of Personality Assessments Based on Body OdourPublished in 2011, people may feel the smell of three features:

• tendency to dominate;
• neuroticism;
• extraversion.

One subjects were asked for some time to wear the same T-shirts. Other study participants smelled T-shirts and tried to describe their respective owners. The above characteristics were determined more often than others, and it could not be explained by chance.

The study's authors believe that the smell of dominance linked to testosterone levels, and neuroticism - chemical reactions to fear and stress.

By the way, a later studyA Sniff of Happiness It showed that happiness too, can be recognized by the nose.

2. Altruists have a rich sex life

It seems we have a real reason to do well. Joke. However, scientists have provedAltruism predicts mating success in humansThat people who help others, have more sexual partners and contacts.

Why it happens? We can assume that altruism in general contributed to the survival of the human race. Therefore, it has become an important factor in sexual selection.

This, of course, does not mean that altruism is the only determining parameter. Other attractions are also important indicators.

3. Optimists live longer and better

several studiesOptimism-Pessimism Assessed in the 1960s and Self-reported Health Status 30 Years Later It shows that people with a positive attitude have a better quality of life and good healthOptimism and Cardiovascular Health: Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

So optimistic, compared with pessimists, less prone to cardiovascular disease and obesity, are more active and less likely to smoke.

According to other dataBeing positive linked to lower chance of dying, study says, A positive attitude and even prolong life. At least, the analysis of medical records of more than 28 thousand people showed that the risk of dying in the next four years after the study, the optimists was 18% less. By the way, similar results were found in people who are married and have a degree.

4. Love reduces the level of neuroticism

Scientists who analyzed 245 couples came to the conclusionRecent Decreases in Specific Interpretation Biases Predict Decreases in Neuroticism: Evidence From a Longitudinal Study With Young Adult CouplesThat the relationship gradually changed outlook on life. People who are inclined to pessimism and Neuroticism, start a more positive look at things.

The positive experience and positive emotions can change a person. Though not directly, indirectly. However, people who come in love relationshipOnly benefit from this.

5. A sense of exclusivity bane

American scientists analyzed the studies dedicated to human confidence that everything he something must. It is associated with a sense of exclusivity and high expectations.

Scientists came to the conclusionTrait entitlement: A cognitive-personality source of vulnerability to psychological distress.That this feature leads to chronic disappointment.

How does this happen? Scheme similar to the following:

1. High expectations are not met, resulting in disappointment.
2. Frustration and unrealized expectations are perceived as a threat or injustice. This, in turn, provokes negative reactions like anger.
3. In order to somehow cope with negative emotions, a person begins to convince himself that he is special.

It is a vicious circle, in which movement and impairs a person's inner state, and his relationships with others. Get out of it possible by developing a gratitude and humility.