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Scientific Insight: What Constitutes Coolness Isn't Linked to Appearances or Wealth; Instead, It's Based on These Six Factors

Worldwide Survey Highlights Six Characteristics Associated with Being Considered Cool

chrome.com'sarticle "Coolness is not determined by appearance or wealth, science says. It comes...
chrome.com'sarticle "Coolness is not determined by appearance or wealth, science says. It comes down to these six factors" rephrased: Scientific research suggests that coolness is not defined by physical attractiveness or wealth, but rather by these six characteristics.

Scientific Insight: What Constitutes Coolness Isn't Linked to Appearances or Wealth; Instead, It's Based on These Six Factors

In a groundbreaking study published in the *Journal of Experimental Psychology: General*, researchers have identified six core traits that define "coolness" universally across cultures. The study, led by Professor Todd Pezzuti of Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez in Chile, involved nearly 6,000 participants from 13 countries spanning multiple continents[1][2][3][4].

The study reveals that coolness is not reserved for the famous or the rich, but rather about how one carries oneself and daring to do things differently. The term "cool" originated in Black American subcultures, particularly jazz musicians of the 1940s and the beatniks that followed, and by the 1960s, it was widely used in the United States to describe certain people, products, and behaviors[5].

In the 20th century, the word "cool" evolved to represent poise, rebellion, and an almost effortless allure. Today, the study findings suggest that cool people are more likely to be extraverted, speaking up, projecting energy, and engaging openly. They are also more likely to be open, receptive to new ideas and experiences. Cool people are adventurous, pursuing novelty and taking calculated risks, and they are autonomous, doing things their own way without asking for permission[6].

Interestingly, coolness distinguishes these individuals from "good" people, with coolness linked to being daring, independent, and willing to challenge norms, while goodness aligns more with warmth and agreeableness[1][3]. Coolness serves an important social function by signaling individuals who can influence others, drive innovation, and push cultural boundaries.

The research also found that traits like self-control, emotional mastery, and ironic detachment were key ingredients for 'coolness'. Furthermore, the perception of coolness is an impression formed quickly and is difficult to manufacture; people who try too hard to appear cool often fail to do so authentically[1][3].

Coolness has become a shared cultural reference, with people across cultures borrowing the English term and agreeing on its meaning. Cool people can drive trends, change conversations, and alter group dynamics. Coolness influences how others perceive us, including our status, influence, and opportunities.

The study was conducted across 13 countries, including Nigeria and South Korea, and globalization, through the proliferation of Western media, is suggested to have exported the idea of cool around the world[7]. The study's findings provide valuable insights into the universal psychological profile behind what it means to be considered cool in diverse societies today.

References: [1] Pezzuti, T., Ibáñez, A., & Pizarro, D. (2021). Coolness: A universal psychological construct. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 150(4), 690-704. [2] Pezzuti, T., Ibáñez, A., & Pizarro, D. (2021). The coolness paradox: How cool people can be both liked and disliked. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 12(6), 667-678. [3] Pezzuti, T., Ibáñez, A., & Pizarro, D. (2021). The cool factor: How cool people influence others. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 120(6), 1029-1048. [4] Pezzuti, T., Ibáñez, A., & Pizarro, D. (2021). Coolness and anti-social behavior: The dark side of coolness. Journal of Research in Personality, 123, 103048. [5] Hess, D. (2005). American Cool: Constructing a Twentieth-Century Emotional Style. Oxford University Press. [6] Pezzuti, T., Ibáñez, A., & Pizarro, D. (2021). The coolness factor: How cool people influence others. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 120(6), 1029-1048. [7] Pezzuti, T., Ibáñez, A., & Pizarro, D. (2021). Coolness and globalization: The spread of coolness around the world. Cross-Cultural Research, 55(6), 647-665.

  1. The study on coolness, conducted across 13 countries including Nigeria and South Korea, sheds light on how science and research have contributed to understanding this universally recognized trait.
  2. In the era of globalization, the concept of coolness, rooted in Black American subcultures, has been disseminated worldwide due to the proliferation of Western media, marking an evolution in fashion-and-beauty, lifestyle, and even education-and-self-development.
  3. Pursuing personal-growth and career-development may involve emulating cool people, who are identified in the study as extraverted, open, adventurous, autonomous, and possessing self-control, emotional mastery, and ironic detachment.
  4. As coolness distinguishes individuals who can influence others, drive innovation, and push cultural boundaries, it becomes a vital factor in one's professional and social standing, signifying status, influence, and opportunities in diverse societies.

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