That reminds me apparently there are lockdown 'tribes' according to the papers today. Things like the 'pragmatic realist' I will find it.
Wonder what most people on MN are?
The study, by the data consultancy firm Auspex which surveyed 2,000 British adults, has broken the population down into five broad groups based on their reaction to life under quarantine and the personality traits that they are most associated with.
The survey, conducted online, found that the largest group — almost a third — was made up of “pragmatic realists”, who support the government and are complying with its measures. Those in the group are typically better educated and from a higher socio-economic background than other types. They are typically older, watch more television and shop at Marks & Spencer.
“Nervous dependants” comprise the second largest category, around a quarter of interviewees. These people are most scared by the pandemic and are pessimistic about the future, believing the lockdown will go on for at least another six months. They are more likely to trust accepted scientific authority figures, and are very supportive of the NHS. This category is the most left-leaning and those within it typically work in teaching, the arts and healthcare. They cite Zara and Primark as their favourite clothing brands.
“Resentful pessimists” make up just under a fifth of the population. These people hold a negative perspective on the future as shaped by the virus but feel aggrieved at losing their freedoms and view most government interventions as unacceptable They consume less news than other groups.
Around 14 per cent of people fall into the category of “deluded optimists”. Typically male and from a poorer background, they are least afraid of the virus or the toll that it will take. Accordingly, they have moderated their behaviour less than others, and are more likely to continue doing as they please. They watch less television than others but are more frequent visitors to YouTube and online chat forums.
Just over 10 per cent of respondents fell into the “sceptical troublemakers” group. These people are also not scared by the pandemic and are the most likely to actively go against public health guidance. They are more likely to be young, male and comfortable. They name Audi and BMW as their favourite car brands.
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Mark Turnbull, chief executive of Auspex, which was started by former employees of Cambridge Analytica, said that the research is a warning to the government that any new measures will have different effects on different people, due to the population’s varied responses to the crisis.
“With the lockdown of British life set to continue for another three weeks, it’s worth considering that we all have different emotional responses to this situation, as our analysis shows,” he said. “Although the simple universal message ‘Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives’ has been effective, managing expectations on more sensitive issues like lifting the lockdown may require a more nuanced approach.”
The celebrity response
The response to the lockdown among celebrities has been mixed. Ariana Grande is most likely a “nervous dependant”. The singer, 26, tweeted that saying “we will be fine because we’re young” was “putting people who aren’t young and/or healthy in a lot of danger”.
Conversely, the calm moderation of Arnold Schwarzenegger, aligns him with the “pragmatic realists”. The actor, 72, said in a video: “The important thing is that you stay home.” The boxer Amir Khan, 33, claimed in a video that the virus is a “man-made thing” linked to 5G towers, so he would most likely be a “sceptical troublemaker”
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