Charts That Expose Some Truths About Human Behavior
One of the most complicated things in the world to understand is human behavior. It’s so intricate there’s a whole school subject about it: psychology. To this day, scientists are making new discoveries. How the brain processes memory is still a mystery in many ways. The argument about nature versus nurture is heavily debated. Each person is so unique and every thought process so specific. It’s hard to define human nature. Everyone has their own perspective and bias. Even doing experiments isn’t always reliable. What if your subjects lie or don’t give you all the information? Though it’s hard to pin down, you can still pick up trends. Below are charts that highlight small aspects of human behavior.
Even though it’ll never be possible to understand exactly how someone thinks, these charts expose some interesting facts about people’s behavior and and its evolution over time.
Hot Or Cold
You might think cold states would prefer hot weather and vice versa, but this chart proves you completely wrong. Most of the time, people would rather deal with something they’re used to. In this case, the grass is not greener on the other side. Floridians don’t ever want to be caught in a snowstorm, no matter how humid it is outside.
Of course, there are a couple of outliers. Additionally, these colors only show what the majority of citizens voted for. If the split was 51/49%, this chart wouldn’t tell you. So even though it seems very black and white, there are probably a lot of gray areas. At the end of the day, each person deals with heat in different ways.
The Wives Of Tom Cruise
This chart shows the ages of Tom Cruise in relation to the ages of his wives. Interestingly, though he gets older, his wives do not. Each one says their vows in their twenties and takes them back at 33. The fact that 33 is the age of divorce for all of them is a little freaky. You have to decide for yourself if you think it’s coincidental or purposeful.
It would be terrible if Tom Cruise actually used 33 as a cut-off age. Perhaps the first two were a coincidence and then Katie Holmes made it into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Once she got close to 33 she got so suspicious, she ended up sabotaging their relationship. All this chart gives is the data. It’s up to you how you want to interpret it.
Popularity Of The Name Karen
Karen reached its peak popularity in the 1940s-1970s. Do all names have their one big peak and then quickly fade out, or are there different name trends? Oftentimes, a name spikes in popularity after it appears in pop culture. For example, the name Emma was made super popular by the TV show Friends because it was the name of Rachel’s daughter.
It’s anyone’s guess how the rise of Karen began, but many people can easily deduce why it isn’t popular anymore. However, in the 70s, using it as a nickname for obnoxious white women wasn’t a trend yet. It probably had a natural decline once people realized there were too many Karens in kindergarten. But current culture is making it clear there won’t be another peak any time soon.
Public Opinion Of Same Sex Relations
This graph clearly shows the gradual acceptance of same-sex relations over time. As more leaders and celebrities came out or advocated for gay rights, more people were exposed to the reality of the LGBTQ+ community. As a result, popular opinion has grown more accepting, and people are feeling comfortable enough to show their true selves.
The cross in 2014 shows a significant turn in public opinion. Now, the majority of US citizens are accepting of same-sex relations and it looks like the trend is only strengthening. It would be interesting to know what initiated this change in the early 1990s. Perhaps it was the AIDS epidemic. The sickness put the LGBTQ+ community into the spotlight. As people started to understand it better, a steady wave of acceptance began.
What Women Want
This survey asked women to rate the importance of eighteen different characteristics they seek in their partners. Interestingly, many factors stay consistent over this huge span of time. But one of the most notable differences is the rise in importance of love, attraction, and appearance. It seems like as time went on, women felt more inclined to marry for love than for stability.
Another interesting trend is the sharp rise in the desire for education and intelligence. Perhaps the rise in female education spurred a need for smarter partners. People want to talk with someone who’s on the same intelligence level. Sadly, this graph ends in 2008. It would be super interesting to see what the numbers are like now.
500 Days On OkCupid
Online dating is hard. By looking at this graph it’s clear though there might be hundreds of people available, only very few make a lasting impression. Wading through this many people must be exhausting. 228 messages only led to four actual dates. And two of them didn’t even happen! This app was certainly not created to be deleted.
It’s no wonder OkCupid has fallen off. Most people use other dating applications these days. But then again, maybe the numbers on Hinge and Bumble are the same. With so many people to swipe through it’s probably hard to commit to one person. If they don’t respond fast enough, you can go and match with someone new.
Identifying As LGBTQ+
This graph shows a straightforward upwards trend. It makes it look like the gay community is appearing out of thin air. Some might take this to mean current culture is creating LGBTQ+ people. But what’s probably happening is as acceptance of the community grows, more people feel comfortable enough to show their true selves.
This graph also might not show the actual number of LGBTQ+ people. This is a prime example of how self-reporting can be unreliable. The survey doesn’t have a lie detector. Therefore this graph doesn’t show how many people are LGBTQ+, it records how many feel comfortable enough to say they are. Also, people of different ages might have different standards as to what makes them a part of the community.
The Fame Of The Apple Brand
Honestly, this graph is a testament to how famous the Apple brand is. Almost every person who was asked knew how to draw their logo. It would be interesting to know how other brands compare. Do most people know the logo of Windows, an Apple competitor? What about fast food chains? Do you think people could also sketch the iconic M in Mcdonald’s?
It’s amazing to see what brands and celebrities become household names. Some people and things are so famous, they’re discussed at a stranger’s dinner table.. Good brands stick in your brain and pair well with their product. The Apple brand has clearly made a name for itself.
1000 Pictures Of Strangers On The Street
When a photographer randomly asks for your photo, most people will be so flattered and say yes. It’s no surprise people love compliments. A photo posted by a famous photographer has the potential to become well-known and could outlive the subject. The idea of your image living on forever is a form of immortality many people would get excited by.
As long as the photographer isn’t intimidating and is respectful, it makes sense most people would accept. Some lasting friendships even came from this endeavor! It’s also a good sign only two out of one thousand were mad enough to curse the photographer out. Hopefully, the photographer wasn’t too shaken up by the interaction.
Pick Your Player
This survey asked one hundred people to pick either rock, paper, or scissors. Though this game is totally random with each item being of equal strength, there’s a small affinity towards choosing rock. So if you’re suddenly challenged to a game, picking paper for your first round gives you the best chance of winning.
It’s anyone’s guess why the numbers fall this way. Perhaps rock is seen as the most solid choice because, in reality, it’s the strongest item. People might favor it because of this association. It would be interesting to see if this breakdown changes in different regions. Apparently, depending on what country you’re from, the order of the words recited at the beginning of the game changes!
Excuses Not To See A Therapist
Your mental health is of equal importance to your physical health. Being overly depressed or anxious can negatively affect you as strongly as an injury could. A therapist’s entire job is to listen to you and help you through tough times in your life. So if you ever feel like you might need one, it probably means you’re overdue for a session.
Unfortunately, there’s still a lot of stigma around mental health and getting help. People think therapy is something to be ashamed of. Some might think it means you can’t function on your own. But honestly, everyone could benefit from a good therapy session, no matter how well they think they’re doing. Let this pie chart be your reason to stop making excuses and go!
Law Of Attraction
Famous scientist Alfred Kinsey did many studies on human sexuality. He believed it was fluid and subject to change. In 1948 he published his Kinsey scale. This scale is from 0-6, with zero being 100% heterosexual and six being 100% homosexual. There is also X which indicates asexual. The idea was to demonstrate how sexuality is a spectrum and not a binary. There are a lot of gray areas people many might fall into.
This chart shows the breakdown of where people fell on this scale in 2013. It would be interesting to see what the numbers look like today. Things are constantly changing. Considering how people are becoming more open to these concepts, the data would definitely look a lot different now!
Becoming A Mother
The decision to become a mother is a big one. All of a sudden you have a whole human you’re responsible for one hundred percent of the time. It’s not babysitting. You can’t give the child back to someone else at the end of the day. The global trend shows a decision to give birth later in life, so it’s not surprising the lowest age for moms in Europe is 25.
Many people have countless excuses for wanting children later in life. Maybe women want to put their careers first or they don’t feel financially stable yet. Many are even deterred by the state of the world! In several countries, the birth rate is also lowering. Fewer people are having kids and the older population is growing because people are living longer.
The World Through A Straw
Though you’ve probably never thought about this question before, as soon as you see the graph you know which side you’re on. The answer you give probably has something to say about your education. It’s like the famous dress everyone was debating over white/gold or blue/black. Different people see things in different ways, but who’s correct?
Simple polls like these can often start very interesting debates. You’ll suddenly find yourself arguing with a close friend. It’s fascinating how people’s brains process information differently. Some people have inner monologues going on, and others have songs constantly playing in the back of their minds! You never know until you ask.
Who Do You Want To Live With?
Apparently, in the 80s everyone was already married by the age of 25! The steep downward trend correlated to living with a spouse which is a little bit depressing. It makes it seem like it’s getting harder and harder to find your life partner. What a sad realization. Perhaps it also has to do with higher divorce rates.
To compensate for the lack of living with a spouse, all the other numbers had to go up. More people have to find roommates to cut housing costs, while others move back home. There’s also an upward trend of living with a partner before tying the knot. In the past, this choice was looked down upon. Nowadays, people want to put their relationships to the test before they make any vows.
The Cost Of Christmas
Many holidays have become commercialized. Stores invent new themed products every year. During Christmas, you’re encouraged to decorate your house, hang lights in your yard, and buy a ton of presents. The push to spend a lot of money all at once can be overwhelming. Not all countries are as holiday crazy as others.
This creatively designed chart shows how much people spend during the holidays. But the amount of money doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with the amount of Christmas spirit. Japan, Georgia, and Brazil aren’t on the graph, but their Christmas lights are voted as some of the best in the world. Apparently, Hungary and Belgium have some of the best Christmas markets.
2022 Popular Searches
What people are googling can shed a lot of insight as to what’s going on in the world. Not only does it show you the biggest events of the year, you can also see the world’s most-followed person. Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars wasn’t a life-changing event, but it did cause huge waves in social media. It’s crazy what people are fascinated by.
Interestingly, Wordle took the world by storm in 2022. It’s one of the only searches that didn’t lose traction after a month of searching. But when people get addicted to a game, it’s hard to shake. When Candy Crush was popular, it lasted over a year. Let’s see if Wordle will get replaced by a new puzzle next year.
Most Followed Accounts On Social Media
Out of the top three most followed accounts, two of them are soccer players. Funny enough, Lionel Messi doesn’t even have a Twitter account! After this past year’s World Cup win, he might even snag second place. Some might be surprised to see Selena Gomez as the most followed musician. She isn’t super active in the music industry anymore or as an actress, but regardless, her fanbase is as strong as ever.
Amazingly, almost all of the Kardashians are on this list. The fact a family could dominate pop culture like this is incredible. Their entire claim to fame was spurred by a relative’s sex tape. All of them then hopped on the bandwagon and made a name for themselves. This is some genius self-marketing.
Not So Faithful
Having unwavering faith in a god used to be a given. Religious groups had higher attendance rates and tight-knit communities. Nowadays, these populations are aging and the communities are shrinking. For the first time, fewer than fifty percent of Americans believe in a higher power! So what inspired this downward slope?
Perhaps it’s related to science and technology. The more mysteries that are solved, such as the origin of the Earth or human behavior, the fewer people turn to religion for answers. Or maybe newer generations are finding other communities to be a part of. As people find other ways to fit in, they may feel less of a need for religious groups.
Taking Care Of The Kids
The only item men spend more time on than women is their children’s events. Everything else is female-dominated. It would be interesting to compare this graph with one made fifty years ago. The numbers would probably be even less than those pictured below. In some cases, it’s impossible for men to have equal time, it’s not like they can breastfeed.
The most healthy thing for a child would be for both parents to have an active role in their lives. Having a caregiver who’s never around or emotionally distant would create a strained relationship. But at the end of the day, parents are everyday people, they make mistakes like everyone else.
Opinions On Flags
Each flag was created with a lot of symbolism in mind. The classic American flag has fifty stars for each of the states, thirteen stripes for the original colonies, and the colors red, white, and blue to signify bravery, purity, and justice. Unsurprisingly, both of the neutral patriotic flags are the most liked. Pure American nationalism is still unwavering.
The most hated flags are related to politics. Apparently, no one’s happy with the presidential candidates these days. For those who don’t recognize the last flag, it was historically used in the American Revolutionary War and the Texas Revolution. Its most recent adaptation has been related to supporting gun rights as well as white supremacy.
The Stance On Abortion
Abortion has become a hot political topic. Many candidates have very strong stances and some make it the highlight of their campaign platform. Though its popularity has risen dramatically, opinion hasn’t changed. Apparently, the opposers are only getting louder. Anti-abortionists are clearly the minority, but for some reason, the legal battle still seems fifty-fifty.
In 1973, the Supreme Court ruled abortion was legal in the famous case of Roe v. Wade. In 2022, the decision was overruled. Currently, each state can choose for itself whether or not the procedure is legal. After the overruling, some states immediately passed an outright ban on abortions, while others added restrictions related to time and circumstance. Talk about complicated things.
Where Is The Love
Dating in the age of technology is an exciting thing. The pool of people is so much bigger. Suddenly you have millions of people to swipe through and you don’t even have to leave your house. While the majority of couples these days meet online, some people find the method embarrassing. Don’t be ashamed, you’re simply utilizing all your resources!
Sometimes people get overwhelmed by the vast number of options. Dating apps probably result in many more failed relationships than in the past. When you meet a potential partner through friends it means other people vetted them before you. This limits the possibility of dating someone you’re seriously not compatible with.
Technology Versus Baby Names
It makes perfect sense the rise of Amazon’s Alexa would result in a decline in its use as a baby name. No one wants their child to be associated with a robot helper. The name Siri is also probably unpopular these days. It would be interesting to know if similar names, like Alexis and Alex, are also declining in popularity.
Amazon chose the name Alexa because they were inspired by the Library Of Alexandria from the time of pharaonic Egypt. The ancient library was known for its vast wealth of knowledge. The name Siri is less deep in meaning. Apple creators simply named their robot helper after a Norwegian co-worker. It’s known as a common nickname for the name Sigrid.
Where To Find The Hottest Men
Italy almost has a monopoly on the entire continent! Though they’re loved by all their neighboring countries, Italy’s pick of Sweden is quite unique. They crave tall, blonde, and blue-eyed men. Looks like if you’re from Sweden or Italy, you’re in luck! Apparently, people always want what they don’t have. Not one country voted for itself.
Apparently, Italian men are well-traveled, because their admiration goes all the way up to Iceland. Then again, this obsession might be half rumor, half-truth. Perhaps the tales of Italian men are more potent and sexy than the men themselves. On a side note, it’s pretty amazing how Brazil made it to the graph. The country isn’t close by!
How Men and Women Compliment Each Other
Most compliments given,= have to do with appearance. Though it might seem shallow, when you meet someone for the first time, there isn’t much else you know about them right away. If these were graphs about how each gender complimented their long-term partners, the results would probably be a lot more diverse.
If you look at the numbers on each graph, you’ll find the group with the most appraisal are women to women. Apparently female support is much more common than between men. Maybe this could serve as an opportunity for guys. If they decided to compliment each other as much as women do, their self-esteem could skyrocket.
What Worries Reddit?
This Reddit user recorded all the messages they received over the past two years and graphed out their topics. Reddit might seem like a platform full of jokes and memes, but apparently, there’s a lot of serious stuff happening behind the scenes. People genuinely reach out to one another asking for advice. 600 messages mean this person was getting almost one message a day!
Recent polls showed over 60% of Reddit users are male. The majority of these messages were related to mental health and self-worth. Perhaps many men turn to online friendships when discussing their feelings. Hopefully, the Reddit community practices healthy habits. Since most things are anonymous, there’s a lot of potential for bad advice.
Wake Up Call
One of the most primal differences between people is whether or not you’re a morning person or a night owl. Some people are in bed by 10 PM and awake by six with all the energy they need for the day. Their productivity peaks in the morning. But on the other side of the coin are the people who write their best essays at 2 AM and sleep until noon.
This graph is most likely skewed by the 9-5 work day. The majority of people who are awake by 8 AM are probably not doing so by choice. Their alarm clocks were set for seven and they pressed snoozed for an hour before dragging themselves out of bed. Also, the one percent who are still sleeping throughout the day are probably all night shift workers.
Youth Behavior Trends
This graph makes it clear that phones, computers, and video games are taking up most of the current teenagers’ time. But honestly, it’s definitely a positive since drug and alcohol use are lowering as a result. This graph doesn’t account for any extracurriculars which makes the data a little bit depressing. Where are the sports, dance classes, debate teams, and youth programs?
This new wave of technology has also created new opportunities. Anyone can go viral if they post interesting content. Influencing is a completely novel job. Famous Instagram and Tiktok stars can make tons of money merely by brand dropping. One post can equal thousands of dollars. The Kardashians are a prime example of this. Their whole empire is based on internet fame.
The World Of Cyberbullying
The creation of the internet led to a new type of harassment: cyberbullying. People could attack others anonymously which created a whole different set of issues. With in-person bullying, you see your victim and directly look at and deal with the consequences of your actions. But online, everything is less connected and the sense of responsibility is diminished.
It would be interesting to know if these are also the most common types of bullying. The fact women deal with more sexual harassment than men is true in person, so maybe there are other similarities. Regardless, any type of harassment is bad. Hopefully, this is a decreasing trend, no one deserves this treatment.