In personality terms, psychologists would describe an extremely nice person like you as being a high scorer in the trait of ‘agreeableness’ – you’re warm, trusting and friendly. Research shows that people like you tend to enjoy high-quality friendships and romantic relationships, and get into fewer arguments.
Unfortunately, though, just as you fear, being nice can be a disadvantage. For instance, research led by the University of Notre Dame in the US found that people rating higher in agreeableness tend to earn less – probably because nicer people are less competitive and are less likely to push for the more high-powered, higher-paid jobs. This correlation is particularly strong in men.
Other research suggests that you could be losing out in the dating game, too. At least in the short-term, both men and women are especially sexually attracted to people who exhibit the ‘dark triad’ of personality traits, namely narcissism, psychopathy and Machiavellianism.
Obviously that’s not the full story, though, and altruism is another trait that’s appealing to potential partners – something that nice people have in spades. And while your friendly character might put you at an earning disadvantage, it might draw you to more meaningful work that you find rewarding. For example, a study at Bard College Berlin found that people who work for non-profit organisations are happier in their life and in their career than those in the profit-making sector.
Read more:
- Are our sleeping positions linked to our personalities?
- Why do some people get aggressive after drinking alcohol?
- Are babies born with a sense of right and wrong?
- Why are people only attracted to certain other people?
