You need to have these 6 traits to be considered cool

Metro

2 days ago

Hiyah Zaidi Published July 4, 2025 3:20pm Link is copied Comments Being considered cool often incorporates traits such as being easy-going, calm, and composed. Or it can be reflecting of your actions, such as being adventurous or a permanent jet setter. Or is it? Scientists have cracked the code, and there are only six personality traits you need to have. So, are you cool? (Picture: Getty) A new international study, published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, looked at nearly 6,000 people across 13 countries: USA, Australia, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Germany, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Spain, South Africa, South Korea, and Turkey. The study looked at psychology experiments conducted from 2018 to 2022. Each participant had to think of someone they thought were 'cool', 'not cool', 'good', or 'not good', and then rate that person's personality and values. The researchers then analysed how 'cool' people differed from 'uncool' and 'good' people (Picture: Getty) Study co-lead researcher Dr Todd Pezzuti said: 'The concept of coolness started in small, rebellious subcultures, including Black jazz musicians in the 1940s and the beatniks in the 1950s. As society moves faster and puts more value on creativity and change, cool people are more essential than ever' (Picture: Getty) The findings were universal and applied to people across multiple cultures. The researchers found that cool people were universally perceived as being more:• Extroverted• Hedonistic• Powerful• Adventurous• Open• Autonomous
But what exactly does having these traits mean? (Picture: Getty) Extroversion ranked the highest, and these people speak up when needed, enjoy the space they're in and have good energy which makes people like them. Hedonism was second, which is where people have a clear idea of how to enjoy their life, and do what feels good to them. Powerful means how they draw people in, and they're up for some adventures in that they are risk-taking. Open is trying new things, and autonomous means in control of themselves, and not feeling the need to ask permission (Picture: Getty) It's interesting to note that being 'good' is not the same as being 'cool'. Those who were considered as 'good' were said to be conforming, traditional, secure, warm, agreeable, universalistic, conscientious, and calm. So, the researchers say that being 'cool' isn't the same as being 'good' in a moral sense. They hope their findings could help understand the role of 'coolness' in society, and how it establishes social hierarchies and changing social and cultural practices and norms (Picture: Getty) Dr Pezzuti said: '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'. Co-author Dr Caleb Warren said: 'To be seen as cool, someone usually needs to be somewhat likable or admirable, which makes them similar to good people. However, cool people often have other traits that aren't necessarily considered 'good' in a moral sense, like being hedonistic and powerful' (Picture: Getty)
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