13 signs you’re a genuine person, according to psychology

If you’re reading this, you probably think you’re a genuine and down-to-earth person, right? And while that may be the truth, I think we all kind of think that of ourselves. 

If you asked Jeff Bezos or even Elon Musk, some of the richest people on Earth, they’d tell you they’re just regular Joes like you and me. 

But what does psychology say? Do you think it agrees with them or with you? Well, let’s find out.

1) You’re self-aware

In psychology, self-awareness is a cornerstone of emotional intelligence. It helps you navigate social interactions, manage stress, and make informed decisions by understanding your own motivations.

When you’re self-aware, you recognize and understand your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. 

You know your strengths (what you’re awesome at) and weaknesses (areas to improve). For instance, you might know you’re great at making people laugh but not so skilled at fixing things.

2) You accept imperfection

Genuine people accept their imperfections. They embrace their flaws and realize that perfection is unattainable.

Psychologically, acceptance of imperfection is tied to self-compassion. It promotes positive mental health by reducing self-criticism and promoting a more compassionate self-view.

My wife loves drawing and is good at it, but sometimes she gets frustrated because her sketches don’t always look exactly how she wants them to. 

However, she has to suck it up and accept imperfections. She knows it’s okay to have drawings that aren’t perfect masterpieces. 

Instead of beating herself up, she appreciates the progress she’s making and enjoys the process of creating.

3) You’re consistent

Consistency implies behaving in a way that aligns with your values and principles over time. I think that’s quite straightforward. 

But what this does is it promotes trust and predictability in your relationships with other people. 

They know you won’t change your mind from one day to the next or that you’ll be fickle about certain things all of a sudden. 

Psychologically, consistency is associated with the need for cognitive stability. We’re drawn to consistency because it reduces uncertainty and improves a sense of security in social dynamics.

Authentic people are, simply put, the same around everyone. So, if you’re a funny, friendly person, don’t suddenly become serious and reserved when you’re with different people.

I know that that’s easier said than done for many people, including myself, but if you want to be genuine, that’s the way to go, right?

4) You’re open

In psychology, openness is one of the “Big Five” personality traits, together with extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism. 

It’s associated with creativity, a love for variety, and a willingness to explore the unknown. Open people tend to be more imaginative, open to new experiences, and adaptable to change.

It encourages intellectual curiosity and adaptability.

It’s also a personality trait related to creativity and a broad-minded approach. And, psychologically, people high in openness desire novelty and engage in eclectic thought processes.

5) You’re empathetic

Empathy is the capacity to comprehend and share the feelings of others. It’s another straightforward concept that you’d expect everyone to follow. 

Yet, the world is sometimes such a terrible place because people just don’t want to put themselves in other people’s shoes. 

Empathy is also a vital component of emotional intelligence, promoting effective communication and promoting positive relationships. 

Psychologically, it contributes to a sense of connection and social harmony.

Genuine people are inherently empathetic to other people. So, if you regularly put yourself in other people’s circumstances, chances are you’re authentic. 

6) You express genuine interest

Psychologically, genuine interest aligns with social psychology principles, emphasizing the importance of interpersonal connections as well as empathy. 

It promotes positive relationships and a sense of mutual understanding.

Being genuinely interested means you don’t just pretend to listen when someone talks, but you’re actually curious about what they’re saying. 

Imagine your friend is talking about their dream of becoming a programmer. Instead of zoning out or thinking about something else, you ask questions like, “What inspired you to want to program?” or “What’s the coolest thing about being a programmer?”

Your curiosity makes the conversation more engaging and meaningful.

All of this shows that you care about the other person as an individual with unique thoughts and experiences. 

After all, when you’re genuine, you want to build real and authentic connections with others.

7) You’re honest

Being honest means you don’t say things that aren’t true, and you don’t hide important stuff. 

It’s like having a policy of “no fibs” in your communication. For example, if someone asks if you took the last cookie, and you did, being honest means admitting it.

In psychology, honesty is tied to the concept of integrity. Integrity involves sticking to your moral and ethical principles, and honesty is a big part of that. 

When you’re honest, people can trust you, and trust is a key ingredient in genuine relationships.

8) You’re resilient

Being resilient means you don’t let tough situations or mistakes bring you down for too long. 

It’s like if you’re playing a game and your character falls, you don’t quit the game; you get back up and keep playing, maybe even getting better each time.

Resilience is studied in positive psychology, emphasizing the psychological strengths that enable individuals to adapt positively to stressors. 

It also contributes to mental toughness and emotional well-being.

Resilient people often have a positive outlook, a sense of control over their lives, and the capacity to bounce back from difficult situations.

9) You’re reliable

When you say you’ll do something, people can trust that you’ll actually do it. Does that sound like you? Truthfully?

Imagine if you agree to help your friend move into a new house. Will you show up on the moving day ready to lend a hand?

Psychologically, reliability is linked to trustworthiness. When people consistently follow through on their commitments, it builds trust in relationships. 

And trust is a crucial component of genuine connections because it creates a sense of security and dependability.

Being reliable is a sign of authenticity because it shows that your words align with your actions. 

When you consistently prove reliability, you show that you’re not just saying things to please others but are genuinely committed to being a dependable and trustworthy individual.

10) You value authentic relationships

Well, obviously, if you’re genuine, you’ll value genuine relationships, right?

In authentic relationships, you can be genuine, share your thoughts and feelings, and let others do the same without judgment. 

Think of it as having buddies who like you for who you truly are, quirks, and all. 

Psychologically, authentic relationships are closely tied to attachment theory. This theory suggests that strong emotional bonds are formed when individuals feel secure and connected in their relationships. 

Being authentic encourages this sense of security, making friendships more meaningful and fulfilling.

11) You’re unpretentious

Imagine you’re meeting new friends, and they all love talking about movies. The problem is, you’re not a big movie buff. 

Instead of pretending to be a film expert just to fit in, you stay true to yourself. You might say, “I’m not really into movies, but I love playing video games. What about you guys?” 

This way, you’re being authentic and not pretending you’re interested in films. Yet, you still encourage a conversation.

Psychologically, being genuine allows for more authentic and fulfilling social interactions. It’s closely tied to self-concept and congruence. 

When your outer behavior aligns with your inner thoughts and feelings, you’re being congruent and authentic. 

Authentic people have more satisfying relationships because others can trust that they’re not hiding anything.

12) You have integrity

Having integrity means sticking to your moral compass, the internal guide that helps you decide what’s right and wrong. 

You’re being honest with yourself and others and making choices that align with your values, even if it’s challenging.

Let’s say you find a wallet on the street. Having integrity means you don’t take the money and pretend you didn’t find it. 

Instead, you try to return it to the owner or hand it over to the authorities. This shows that your actions match your belief in doing what’s right.

Unfortunately, many people wouldn’t do the same. They’d jump for joy and think that it was their lucky day, not thinking twice about taking the cash and ditching the wallet into the trash. 

In psychology, integrity is linked to a stable and positive sense of self and self-worth. People with a strong sense of integrity also often experience greater life satisfaction and a sense of purpose.

13) You have a positive vulnerability

And lastly, we have perhaps the most important part of authenticity – positive vulnerability.

This means you’re open and honest about who you are, including your feelings and experiences, without feeling ashamed or anxious about it. 

You have the confidence to share the real you, both the amazing parts and the parts that aren’t perfect.

In psychology, positive vulnerability is closely related to the concept of authenticity and self-disclosure. 

When you share your true thoughts and emotions with others, it deepens your connections and builds trust. It’s a way of saying, “This is me, and I’m comfortable with it.”