This is what makes someone ‘cool’, according to science

2 Jul 2025 • 4:22 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • A new study indicates that individuals considered "cool" exhibit six remarkably similar personality traits across various cultures.
  • These universally recognised traits for "cool" people include being extroverted, hedonistic, powerful, adventurous, open, and autonomous.
  • The research, involving 6,000 adults from 13 countries and published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, found that the definition of "cool" is consistent across both Eastern and Western social circles.
  • The study differentiates "cool" from "good", noting that "good" people are typically perceived as more conforming and traditional.
  • Findings suggest that global media, such as fashion, music, and film industries, have helped standardise the meaning of "cool," influencing social hierarchies and cultural evolution.

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