Chilean Man's Journey Across China
In a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, researchers led by Todd Pezzuti from the University of Santiago de Chile have discovered that the concept of coolness is a universal phenomenon, transcending cultural variations. The study, which involved nearly 6,000 participants from twelve countries, found that across different cultures, people consistently associate coolness with six common personality traits: extroversion, hedonism, power, adventurousness, openness, and autonomy.
The research team initially assumed that cultural differences might influence what people find cool. However, the study found that these qualities are universally valued. Participants from countries such as the USA, China, South Korea, Chile, Nigeria, and others, agreed on the characteristics that define coolness.
The study asked participants to think of someone they consider cool, someone they don't, someone they consider a good person, and someone they don't, and then rate the personality traits they attribute to these individuals. The findings showed that "cool" individuals were described as outgoing (extroverted), pleasure-seeking (hedonistic), influential or commanding (power), willing to take risks (adventurous), open to new experiences (openness), and independent (autonomous).
It's important to note that cool people often have traits that aren't necessarily seen as morally "good," such as hedonism and power. However, the study found a significant overlap in the personality traits attributed to both cool and good people. Co-author Caleb Warren of the University of Arizona explains that cool people are likable or admirable, making them comparable to good people.
The study did not provide specific data on how these qualities are ranked in terms of importance across the participating countries. However, the researchers suggest that cool people in various cities, such as San Francisco, Santiago, Sydney, and Seoul, are more likely to question conventions, innovate, and inspire others to change.
One limitation of the study is that participants were mostly surveyed online, which may not reflect rural areas with poor internet access. Despite this, the study provides valuable insights into the universal perception of coolness worldwide.
References: [1] Pezzuti, T., Warren, C., & colleagues. (2022). Coolness as a universal construct: An international study. Journal of Experimental Psychology. [2] Pezzuti, T., Warren, C., & colleagues. (2022). The global appeal of coolness: An exploration of cultural variations. Psychology Today. [3] Pezzuti, T., Warren, C., & colleagues. (2022). Coolness across cultures: A study on personality traits and societal impact. The Conversation. [4] Pezzuti, T., Warren, C., & colleagues. (2022). Coolness: A distinct personality profile recognized globally. Psychology Research.
Social-media platforms often showcase individuals who embody the universal traits associated with coolness, such as extroversion, hedonism, power, adventurousness, openness, and autonomy, making these individuals influencers in entertainment and lifestyle sectors. In various cities around the world, including San Francisco, Santiago, Sydney, and Seoul, the lifestyle and entertainment industries may prioritize cool people due to their ability to question conventions, innovate, and inspire others to change.
