Within the social context where we develop, regardless of the region and culture, there are many different personalities that define individuals.

In this article we will focus on reviewing what are the most characteristic features of cold and calculating people , in order to better understand how they think and why they behave, which may often seem somewhat insensitive to other people.

What is a cold and calculating person really like?

In our society, people are often stigmatized according to how they express their emotions in certain situations; for example, if someone doesn’t cry with a movie that made others cry, or if they don’t find puppies adorable, then they are labeled as insensitive or cold. Usually, such a label is applied to people who do not externalize their emotions in such a clear and direct way as most human beings .

Cold, calculating people can function emotionally well, and often have no trouble expressing their feelings when they need to. What characterizes them is their way of thinking, which tends to be more structured and pragmatic than that of other people.

For example, people with this behaviour often conscientiously discriminate when it is appropriate to express their emotions, this does not mean that they repress them, it is about having a certain degree of control over what they are feeling and having the ability to choose where they prefer to express it.

7 common traits in emotionally cold people

Here are some of the most common characteristics of this type of person.

1. The frustrations of the past

Past experiences can shape a person’s future behavior. Contrary to what is usually thought, not all frustrations are negative, some serve to provide us with learning that makes us better people for the future .

Eugenic frustrations appear with all those events that although initially represent a degree of discomfort for the subject, later end up in learning and personal growth.

The other side of the coin are the pathogenic frustrations, which do not bring with them any positive characteristics , but on the contrary leave a significant trauma in the life of the subject, this type of frustrations should be avoided as much as possible.

Cold people tend to take advantage of the former and let the latter go by.

2. High level of rationality

People with this type of personality are characterised by presenting a relatively high level of rationality in the face of the different decision-making situations that they may encounter in their daily lives. They are subjects who do not act on the first impulse, but evaluate the context of the situation before proceeding.

The same goes for the interpersonal relationships they have. They do not do this from an idealized perspective of the other person, but they are aware that each one is an individual being with tastes and interests that do not necessarily have to be shared by others.

3. Preserve their integrity

People who tend to be cold and calculating, in general, avoid being involved in activities that may represent unnecessary risks to their integrity, both physical and psychological.

4. Think several times before you speak

Another frequent characteristic of this type of person is that they do not speak lightly, but rather conscientiously evaluate what they are thinking , and make sure that it will not be imprudent to give their opinion at certain times.

5. They are suspicious subjects

This type of subjects find it difficult to trust others, they tend to maintain an attitude of suspicion in most situations, which is a circumstance they must learn to channel so that it does not become a limitation.

6. They are methodical

Intrinsically there is a relationship between cold and calculating personalities and methodical behavior . When it comes to performing some activity, these types of people need to do things in a structured way to feel comfortable with the process.

7. They are independent

The cold and calculating subject, although he does not present a marked impossibility to relate to others, tends to be an independent person by his own decision. He feels more comfortable performing activities alone, because in that way he feels a greater sense of control over the process.

Bibliographic references:

  • Corr, P. J.; Matthews, G. (2009). The Cambridge handbook of personality psychology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • González, José (1987). Personality psychology. Madrid: Biblioteca Nueva.