Cynical people: 7 typical characteristics and traits that identify them

Living in society implies being constantly pressured by a series of rules, both written and not written, which in theory help us to coexist without significant friction appearing between us. We are all affected by them, but not all of us have the same tendency to accept them and to make our actions fit with them.

What we usually know as cynical people is an example of this. These are individuals who are characterized, among other things, by having no qualms about showing in a fairly open way that they do not conform to the rules that are important to the majority. They are frequently accused of acting brash, and this means that in an instant they can win the enmity of many.

Although cynicism is a learned behavior pattern, is usually expressed quite consistently over time, unless specific life experiences or the simple maturation of the person make that change. Next we will see what are the typical characteristics that define it.

• Related article: "The main theories of personality"

Characteristics of cynical people

These are the characteristics that show a tendency to cynicism in a person. They are not ordered according to a specific criterion, nor must they all necessarily occur at the same time. On the other hand, keep in mind that in everything there are different levels of intensity, and it is very difficult find people who take all these characteristics to the purest extreme of what is the cynicism.

1. Tendency to use basic fallacies

Cynical people they have no qualms about using cheating in their way of arguing, since sometimes they try to persuade the rest by taking advantage of our propensity to think through cognitive shortcuts, even if this implies making us reach a false conclusion.

Therefore, they make fallacious comparisons, criticize the person instead of the argument, appeal to the opinion of a supposed authority on the subject without showing why they are correct, etc. Normally, the fact that many fallacies can appear in the same discussion makes many of them are detected as such immediately, but for cynical people this is not usually to import.

2. Tendency to self-centeredness

Another of the most important characteristics of cynical people is that they live almost totally oriented towards themselves, and that is why they don't feel especially bad thinking that others may have a low opinion of them. In addition, another consequence of this self-centeredness is that situations easily arise in which they harm someone voluntarily or involuntarily, to achieve something that only they will enjoy.

• You may be interested: "Egocentric personality: 15 characteristic traits"

3. Ease of pretending

Cynical people are not simply individuals who do not conform to social conventions; neither do they conform to a morality in which honesty has value. Therefore, it is easy for them to pretend that they care about others and, when they are interested, to break totally that illusion to act as they really feel and think, practically without any shame.

4. Pessimistic outlook on society

Usually, cynical people don't expect much from society as a whole. In any case, you can see it as a sum of individuals who agree not to harm each other for a time, just not to receive harm. Is about an individualistic way of conceiving social relations.

5. They are suspicious

By having a rather negative view of life, cynical people do not feel compelled to win the sympathy of others if it is not for specific reasons related to specific advantages.

6. They can speak their minds, without shame

On many occasions they do not do it for a practical purpose, but where doing so does not have negative consequences. Clearly, cynical people can be very transparent, which means that if they don't say something that would be relevant in a conversation, it is easier that it is not for fear of what they will say or for shame, elements that are rather irrational. This can be good or bad, depending on the case and the sensitivity of the listener or reader.

7. They lie easily

As there is no moral "cap" for this, the lie is considered one more tool in a world in which everyone looks after their own. Consequently, cynical people are more likely to lie to achieve their goals.