Latest news with #CalebWarren
Boston Globe
2 days ago
- General
- Boston Globe
What Makes Someone Cool? A New Study Offers Clues.
The study, published Monday in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, surveyed nearly 6,000 participants from 12 countries around the world. Their beliefs about what's 'cool' were similar regardless of where the study participants lived, and despite differences in age, income level, education, or gender. 'What blew my mind was the fact that it was pretty much the same result everywhere,' said Caleb Warren, one of the authors of the study and a professor at the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona who has researched consumer psychology for two decades. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up In the study, each participant had to recognize the word 'cool' in English, without translation, suggesting that they were already familiar with — or maybe even idolized — notions of coolness from wealthy Western countries like the United States. Advertisement In that sense, the study offers a window into the spread of cultural beliefs from one group of people to another, said Joseph Henrich, an anthropologist and a professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard University who was not involved in the study. 'Globally, American success has led to the diffusion of music styles and an immense amount of cultural content, including, apparently, the concept of cool,' Henrich said. Advertisement Coolness is not a widely studied subject. Past research has found that coolness is usually considered something positive: People who are cool are also friendly, competent, trendy, and attractive. But Warren and his colleagues wanted to know what makes a person distinctly 'cool' rather than just 'good.' So the researchers asked the participants to think of specific people: one who is cool, one who is not cool, one who is good, and one who is not good. Then they asked the participants to evaluate each person by answering questionnaires that collectively measured 15 different attributes. While the cool and good people had overlapping traits, compared with their cool counterparts, good people were perceived as more conforming, traditional, secure, warm, agreeable, universalistic (the extent to which a person sees everyone and everything as being equal or equally worthy of care and respect), conscientious, and calm. Those who were perceived as capable were equally considered cool and good. One limitation of the study was that anyone who did not know the word 'cool' was automatically filtered out. As a result, the data cannot determine how frequently the word is used in different countries or, whether in certain cultures, coolness will lead to a higher social status relative to others. In addition, while the study included participants with a wide range of ages, the population skewed young: The average age from each region was generally 30 or younger. Other studies have shown that there are important cultural differences that can affect the traits that we value. 'Factors like aggression make us have higher status in some Western cultures and simultaneously give us less status in the East,' said Mitch Prinstein, the chief of psychology at the American Psychological Association, who has written two books about popularity, which can be a consequence of coolness. Advertisement Research on coolness suggests that the desire to be cool is particularly strong during adolescence, and it influences not only what people buy or whom they admire, but also how they talk and what they do for fun. But what's considered cool by the broader culture might not be the same as what you personally believe is cool. This is why Warren and his colleagues asked each participant to think about the people they considered cool vs. good. Interestingly, across the board, the types of traits that are typically associated with kindness or helpfulness were more often perceived as good instead of cool. So is coolness a trait that's worth pursuing? To that end, Warren said, 'I have serious doubts.' Coolness that involves risk-taking and being socially precocious during adolescence may offer popularity during youth, but one study published in 2014 found that many teenagers who behaved in this way would later struggle in their 20s, developing problems with alcohol, drugs, and relationships. 'They are doing more extreme things to try to act cool,' one of the researchers told The New York Times. For the popular kids in school, 'status is dominance, visibility, attention,' Prinstein said. But, he added, it is how well-liked you are that contributes to long-term success. 'Even the most uncool kid will probably fare well if they have at least one close friend,' he added. Perhaps coolness -- particularly the dismissive 'too cool for school' variety -- isn't all it's cracked up to be. This article originally appeared in
New York Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Researchers determine the six attributes that make somebody cool — do you have them?
Researchers have scientifically defined coolness. The idea of coolness might seem subjective, but international researchers have revealed that there is a nearly-universal consensus on what it means to be hip. 'The meaning of cool has crystallized on a similar set of values and traits around the globe,' the researchers wrote in the too-cool-for-school study, which was published in the Journal Of Experimental Psychology. According to their research, 'cool' people are generally perceived as more extroverted, hedonistic, powerful, adventurous, open and autonomous. 'To be seen as cool, someone usually needs to be somewhat likable or admirable, which makes them similar to good people,' said co-lead researcher Caleb Warren, PhD, an associate professor of marketing at the University of Arizona. 'However, cool people often have other traits that aren't necessarily considered 'good' in a moral sense, like being hedonistic and powerful.' Lais – Why is coolness defined so similarly across cultures that differ so drastically in seemingly every other aspect of life? The study's co-lead researcher Todd Pezzuti, of the Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez in Chile, explained, 'Everyone wants to be cool, or at least avoid the stigma of being uncool, and society needs cool people because they challenge norms, inspire change, and advance culture.' To determine what it means to be hip, researchers conducted experiments on 6,000 international participants between 2018 and 2022. Respondents hailed from the United States, Australia, Chile, China (mainland and Hong Kong), Germany, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Spain, South Africa, South Korea and Turkey. Participants were asked to think of people who were cool, not cool, good or not good and then rate the subjects' personalities and values. Daniel Craig as James Bond in 'No Time To Die' (2021). ©MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection Researchers used this data to analyze the differences between cool people, uncool people and good people. They found that 'good' people were seen as conforming, traditional, secure, warm, agreeable, universalistic, conscientious and calm. Meanwhile, 'cool' people boasted the aforementioned mixed bag of both 'good' and ethically-questionable traits. 'To be seen as cool, someone usually needs to be somewhat likable or admirable, which makes them similar to good people,' said co-lead researcher Caleb Warren, PhD, an associate professor of marketing at the University of Arizona. 'However, cool people often have other traits that aren't necessarily considered 'good' in a moral sense, like being hedonistic and powerful.' One is reminded of James Bonds and other simultaneously 'selfish' and 'selfless' action heroes. In fact, the article suggested that the increasingly international reach of movies and music transformed 'coolness' from a niche characteristic into a 'commercially-friendly' set of traits that transcends cultures — in other words, it's now square to be hip. But does coolness' mainstream appeal mean that it's, well, no longer cool? Pezzuti doesn't think so. 'Coolness has definitely evolved over time, but I don't think it has lost its edge. It's just become more functional,' he explained. 'The concept of coolness started in small, rebellious sub-cultures, including Black jazz musicians in the 1940s and the beatniks in the 1950s (yes, these countercultural pioneers were cool before it was cool).' He added, 'As society moves faster and puts more value on creativity and change, cool people are more essential than ever.'
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First Post
2 days ago
- Science
- First Post
Are you really cool? A global survey finds 6 traits to fit the definition
The study, published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, involved nearly 6,000 participants from 12 countries. Despite differences in geography, age, income, education, and gender, responses were remarkably consistent read more A new global survey has identified six core traits commonly associated with 'cool' individuals: extroversion, hedonism, power, adventurousness, openness, and autonomy. The study, published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, involved nearly 6,000 participants from 12 countries. Despite differences in geography, age, income, education, and gender, responses were remarkably consistent. 'What blew my mind was the fact that it was pretty much the same result everywhere,' said Dr Caleb Warren, one of the study's authors and a professor at the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Cool, but not always kind Participants were asked to think of specific people they considered cool, not cool, good, and not good. They then assessed these individuals based on 15 personality traits. While there was some overlap between cool and good individuals, 'good' people were more often described as conforming, traditional, secure, warm, agreeable, conscientious, calm, and universalistic. Interestingly, kindness, commonly associated with goodness, was not a defining feature of those seen as cool. Western roots of cool All participants recognized the word 'cool' in English, without translation. Researchers suggest this reflects the global influence of American media and cultural exports. 'Globally, American success has led to the diffusion of music styles and an immense amount of cultural content, including, apparently, the concept of cool,' said Dr Joseph Henrich, an anthropologist at Harvard University who was not involved in the study. Limits and bias One limitation noted by the researchers is that participants who didn't recognize the English word 'cool' were excluded. This means the findings cannot fully assess how the concept is understood or valued in non-Western cultures. The average age of participants also skewed young, typically around 30 or under. Other studies suggest cultural factors influence what is seen as desirable. 'Factors like aggression make us have higher status in some Western cultures and simultaneously give us less status in the East,' said Mitch Prinstein, chief of psychology at the American Psychological Association. Adolescence and identity Coolness may be especially influential during adolescence. Prior research has found it affects preferences in entertainment, social interactions, and even consumer behaviour. But what society deems cool may not always align with personal values. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Dr Warren and his colleagues made this distinction by comparing perceptions of cool versus good. Across cultures, traits tied to kindness or helpfulness were more frequently associated with being good rather than cool. Is it worth it? Dr Warren offers a word of caution. 'I have serious doubts,' he said, when asked if coolness is a trait worth chasing. Some research suggests that adolescents who engage in risk-taking to appear cool may face challenges later in life, including issues with substance use and relationships. 'They are doing more extreme things to try to act cool,' one of the researchers told The New York Times. Dr Prinstein added that while popularity may bring attention and visibility, long-term success often depends on being genuinely liked. 'Even the most uncool kid will probably fare well if they have at least one close friend,' he said. Coolness, it seems, is more complicated than it appears, and not always beneficial in the long run. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Time of India
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
Want to be cool? Scientists reveal six traits that make you one
Image: Freepik What exactly makes someone "cool"? Is it their confidence, the way they dress, or how effortlessly they stand out in a crowd? A new international study, published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, attempts to answer this age-old question with science. Researchers surveyed nearly 6,000 people from 12 countries and discovered that, regardless of culture, age, or background, people share a surprisingly consistent view of what makes someone cool. And it turns out, being cool has less to do with being trendy and more to do with who you are at your core. So, what makes someone cool? Rather than associating coolness with fleeting fads or social status, the study found that truly cool people possess a unique mix of personality traits that set them apart. These individuals aren't necessarily the kindest or most traditional but they exude confidence, independence, and an adventurous spirit that makes them stand out. Here are the six traits that cool people around the world seem to share: Six key traits of coolness , according to science Extroversion – Cool people are outgoing, socially confident, and comfortable in different social settings. They often command attention without trying too hard. Hedonism – They enjoy life, seek pleasure, and are drawn to experiences that are fun, indulgent, or expressive. Power – They are seen as influential and commanding, often leading rather than following. Adventurousness – They are risk-takers who embrace the unknown and are open to new, bold experiences. Openness – Cool individuals are receptive to new ideas, people, and ways of thinking, often embracing unconventional paths. Autonomy – They value independence and self-expression, making choices based on their own beliefs rather than conforming to societal norms. Cool vs. good: why they're not the same Interestingly, the study also compared what makes someone "cool" versus what makes someone "good." While some traits like capability were common to both, good people were more often described as conforming, secure, agreeable, conscientious, and calm. In contrast, coolness leaned toward rebellion, risk, and nonconformity. That distinction matters, especially for young people who often prioritize popularity over deeper values. Researchers also highlighted that the word "cool" itself was recognized globally, suggesting that Western ideals of coolness, driven largely by American media, have influenced global perceptions. However, not all cultural values align. As noted by psychologist Mitch Prinstein, traits like aggression may boost status in Western societies while reducing it in others, like in parts of East Asia. Coolness often brings social visibility, influence, and a magnetic presence—especially during adolescence when identity and status are in flux. It can help individuals stand out, gain confidence, and build wide social networks. According to researchers like Caleb Warren, coolness reflects traits like autonomy and boldness, which can be empowering when expressed positively. While being universally liked is important, having a cool presence can also open doors, inspire admiration, and shape trends. As psychologist Mitch Prinstein points out, even those who don't fit the traditional mold of popularity can thrive if they embrace their individuality. In many ways, being cool—when authentic and grounded—can be both powerful and meaningful.
