One in three men and women are green-eyed monsters as study reveals envy is our top personality trait
Scientists say most people can be categorised as optimistic, pessimistic, trusting or envious
THE majority of men and women are green-eyed monsters whose basic personality trait is envy, a study reveals.
Scientists say most people can be categorised as optimistic, pessimistic, trusting or envious.
But the largest group, 30 per cent, are naturally envious — and do not mind what they achieve as long as they are better than everyone else.
Researchers collected responses from 541 volunteers to hundreds of social dilemma scenarios which led to collaboration or conflict with others.
A computer programme they developed was used to classify people according to behaviour.
It found 20 per cent are optimists, who believe they and their partner will make the best choice for both of them.
Another 20 per cent are pessimists — who find themselves opting for the lesser of two evils.
And 20 per cent are trusting, defined as born collaborators who do not mind if they win or lose.
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The final ten per cent could not clearly be pigeon-holed into a dominant type of behaviour.
Prof Yamir Moreno, of Spain’s University of Zaragoza, said: “It goes against the theory stating humans act rationally.”
It is thought the findings could improve machinery and make “robots more humanised”.