Canadian scientists from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia have discovered that lonely people can be divided into four archetypes based on their basic characteristics. However, the perception of loners from different groups by others and the attitude towards them differ markedly by gender. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin (PSPB).
The two-part experiment involved 286 men and women from the United States and Canada with an average age of about 50. Volunteers were asked to fill out an online survey about their perceptions of loneliness, associated stereotypes and discrimination faced by single people.
The researchers found that both single women and men were associated with positive traits such as independence and kindness, while negative gender-neutral stereotypes included being seen as selfish or promiscuous.
Psychologists have found that people tend to perceive lonely women better than lonely men.
“We were surprised to see so many positive stereotypes emerge about single women, emphasizing their resilience, creativity and strength. In contrast, some stereotypes about single men, such as ‘pedophile’ and ‘misogynist,’ were extremely negative, underscoring how some single men can be perceived as dangerous and hostile,” said study co-author Hannah Dupuis.
Based on the collected data, scientists have identified four main archetypes of a lonely person. They were called “professionals”, “carefree”, “heartless” and “outcasts”.
“Professionals” tend to sacrifice close relationships for the sake of ambitions and careers. They are generally considered successful in their work or personal hobbies. Moreover, both men and women in this group were often evaluated as “competent” and “trustworthy.”
“Carefree” singles were characterized as freedom-loving, kind and cheerful people who want to enjoy life without the restrictions of a serious relationship. Single women in this category were often described as “creative” and “open-minded”, while men were called “flexible”, referring to their ability to adapt to different circumstances for the sake of personal freedom.
“Heartless” lonely people are perceived by others as selfish, hypocritical and womanizing, and their loneliness is caused by a lack of empathy. Women of this archetype are seen by others as “bitchy” and “untrustworthy”, while men are seen as “aloof” and “untrustworthy”.
Finally, “outcasts” are left alone because they are unattractive and antisocial. Society considers “outcast” women as “cold” and men as “immature” and “sloppy”.
The authors of the study concluded that single people, regardless of their gender, face discrimination due to stereotypes about their social status.
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