Cynicism is growing, driven by global conflicts and political polarization, and affecting trust among people. Social scientist Jamil Zaki’s new book, “Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness,” delves into this “trust recession” facing Americans. According to the General Social Survey, trust levels dropped from nearly half in 1973 to about one-third in 2018, despite research showing that people often exceed our expectations.
Zaki, a psychology professor at Stanford, argues that cynicism, while understandable, is detrimental both personally and socially. It leads to apathy and poor health, and damages community cohesion. Cynics are more prone to depression, isolation, and even heart disease. They face reduced opportunities for love and friendship, drink more, earn less, and often die younger than those who are less cynical.
"To fight cynicism, we need to get closer to one another — to stop rejecting social contact," "Hope for Cynics" author and social scientist Jamil Zaki says. Vern Evans
Contrary to popular belief, cynicism is not a mark of intelligence. Studies show that cynics score lower on tasks involving cognitive ability and problem-solving compared to non-cynics. They also perform worse at detecting lies. Cynicism, often viewed as a protective shield, can isolate individuals and stifle meaningful connections, hindering long-term mental and social health.
Zaki suggests adopting “hopeful skepticism,” which emphasizes questioning assumptions without losing faith in people. This approach promotes seeing the world more clearly and encourages action toward a better future. Practices like fact-checking one’s negative impulses and sharing positive stories can counterbalance cynicism. Ultimately, building trust and closer relationships reveals the fundamental goodness in people, highlighting hope as a powerful force for civic engagement and social progress.
