What makes a person cool?

According to one researcher, “The way people and things are cool is if they seem autonomous—they do what they want to do to regardless of what other people think. But in a way that is appropriate, seen as valued or efficient; it’s different, without being harmful or worse.”

Why do we admire Cool Kids?

The self-assuredness of cool kids looks like self-actualization. This is probably a big part of why we admire it to such an extent. However, new research reminds us that while coolness may mimic self-actualization, it’s really something different. Cool adolescents are cool, in part, because they seem older.

Do you have what it takes to be cool as a teen?

As a teenager, you labor to crack the code. You attune yourself to subtle changes in fashion, you stay on top of musical trends, and you use hip slang, but it still slips away from you at crucial moments. There seems to be something fundamental, even constitutional, about being cool. You either have it, it seems, or you don’t.

Is coolness easy or hard to have?

But having it isn’t entirely straightforward, either. Essential to our view of coolness is the experience of love-hate, because at the same time we admire the cool kids, we recognize their paradoxes—pretty and snobby, irreverent and rude—but the coolest kids are never too snobby or too rude.

What is coolcoolness and why does it matter?

Coolness is also about accepting who you are, showing up authentically, being kind to everyone — the list goes on. “These qualities can change the way in which you not only relate to others but also how you perceive the world,” explains Dr. Sabrina Romanoff, a clinical psychologist.

Does Being Cool make you more likely to commit crimes?

It found that, as young adults, once-acknowledged “cool” kids had more difficulties in friendship and romantic relationships, were at greater risk for alcohol and drug abuse, and engaged in more serious criminal behavior than their “uncool” peers.