The benefit finders that are optimists were, after 2 years, were 19% more likely to survive.
两年后那些乐观的积极者存活率高出19%
By far, the most influential and interesting study done in this area of benefit finding and optimism was the nun study.
到目前为止,在研究积极心态和乐观领域中影响最深最有趣的实验就是修女实验
The nun study showed in many ways that the Bible was correct, that joy does prolongeth our lives.
这个实验从多方面表明圣经里说得没错,快乐真的能使人长寿
And the nun study was done, started in 1932.
这个修女实验是从1932年开始做
In 1932, 178 nuns who just completed their training.
1932年 178位修女完成受训
They were around the age of 22, just about to embark on their mission were tested on numerous accounts. One of the things they did was write biographical sketches of themselves.
她们的年龄大约为22岁,这些即将开始传教的修女受到方方面面的测试。其中一个就是她们要写自己的短小传记
And we had this data for decades.
这个资料几十年前就收集起来了
And psychologists just very recently opened up the data and wanted to look at it, wanted to understand what predicts longevity.
最近心理学家才打开这些资料想对它进行研究,想弄明白
Which of the nuns are still alive today? How long did they live?
有几个修女活到了今天?活了多久
OK, this was done in 1932 when they were avergae age of 22.
这个实验在1932年展开,她们当时22岁
And they looked for predictors of longevity so they looked at how complex their essays were — in other words, their intellectual capacities,
他们想找长寿的预测因素,所以他们看她们的传记写得多深奥——也就是说考察她们的智力水平
zero correlation to longevity; they looked at place of residence — maybe they lived in places with less or more pollution
跟长寿一点关系都没有,他们看居住环境——看看居住环境的污染程度
that would impact how long they lived, zero correlation- California, Boston, no difference;
会不会影响她们的寿命,没联系,住加州的和住波士顿的没分别
they looked at how devout they were, their levels of belief at that time at the age of 22- didn't predict longevity.
他们研究她们的虔诚程度,信仰程度,她们那时才22岁,对长寿没什么影响