People patterns

This is a living document. Last updated: 8 Oct 2024.

When I talk about “people patterns”, I’m referring to the recurring and predictable elements in human behavior, personality, and relationships. Everyone is unique and human beings are complex, but there are also identifiable trends or repetitions in how we think, act, and relate to one another.

Basically, I’m interested in the intersection of individual psychology, social behaviors, cultural influences, and communication styles—the overlap of psychology, sociology, anthropology, and communication studies, if you will. But I prefer not to use these terms too formally since I’m not a scientist or an academic.

Patterns include:

Behavioral patterns. The repeated actions people take in certain contexts.
Why do people avoid uncomfortable conversations, or why do they seek approval from others? What factors make some behaviors nearly universal?

Personality patterns. Certain personality traits tend to lead people toward specific paths in life.
What makes someone more inclined to take risks and become an entrepreneur, or more likely to seek stability in other fields? How does the environment people grow up in influence their personalities?

Group patterns. Cycles of connection, conflict, and growth appear in any group, whether it’s pairs (like romantic relationships, friendships, or partnerships) or larger collectives (such as families, friend groups, or online community).
Interdependence is often seen as an ideal, but what does it look like in practice? How does the meaning of interdependence vary across different cultures?