Study Says There Are 4 Personality Types. Which Is Yours? Use this research to find out if you are an optimist, a pessimist, green with envy or a trusting soul.

By Dan Bova

Stephanie Rausser | Getty Images

Spanish researchers published a study in Science Advances that says that 90 percent of the world's population falls into one of four basic personality types: Optimistic, Pessimistic, Envious and Trusting.

The study was conducted by taking groups of people and pairing them into rotating teams of two. The teams were presented with social dilemmas and were given options that led to either collaboration or conflict.

Related: 7 Steps for Keeping Conflict Healthy

Breaking down the types, the study defines Optimists as those who made choices that benefited both people in the pair. Pessimists, the study found, typically chose the lesser evil. Envious types didn't seem to care about the method as long as the result benefited them over others and Trusting people favored cooperation and collaboration with no consideration on who, if anyone, would benefit in the end.

Related: Use This Secret Military Trick to Tell if Someone Is Lying

The study found that the most people fit into the Envious category. Which do you think you fit?

Dan Bova

Entrepreneur Staff

VP of Special Projects

Dan Bova is the VP of Special Projects at Entrepreneur.com. He previously worked at Jimmy Kimmel Live, Maxim, and Spy magazine. His latest books for kids include This Day in History, Car and Driver's Trivia ZoneRoad & Track Crew's Big & Fast Cars, The Big Little Book of Awesome Stuff, and Wendell the Werewolf

Read his humor column This Should Be Fun if you want to feel better about yourself.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

'Nobody Ever Gave Me Anything': More Boomers Say They're Not Transferring Wealth to Family Until They're Dead

A new survey from Charles Schwab found boomers are more hesitant to distribute their wealth than other generations.

Leadership

7 Telltale Signs of a Weak Leader

Whether a bully or a people pleaser who can't tell hard truths, poor leadership takes many forms.

Business News

Your Old Apple AirPods Can Soon Act as an Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid, According to the FDA

The new software is compatible with the Apple AirPods Pro and accessible through iOS — for free and now FDA-authorized.

Side Hustle

This 29-Year-Old Quit Working 12-Hour Overnight Shifts Because Her Side Hustle Brings In Up to $8,000 a Month: 'It Makes Me Happy'

Breanna Meertins picked up a fun hobby in her free time — then learned about an opportunity that would change everything.

Business News

Barbara Corcoran Says She Doesn't Look at Resumes: 'Always Hire Attitude Over Experience'

If you think you need a strong resume to work with real estate pioneer Barbara Corcoran, think again.

Business News

Over 1,300 Google Employees Have Signed a New Petition Asking For Job Security

Google laid off thousands of employees in the past two years, which has left some employees feeling insecure about keeping their jobs.