---
title: "Patriotic, honest and selfish: How Americans describe … Americans"
description: "Americans pull no punches when assessing the strengths and weaknesses of their fellow citizens."
date: "2015-12-11"
authors:
  - name: "Samantha Smith"
    job_title: "Former Research Assistant"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/samantha-smith/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2015/12/11/patriotic-honest-and-selfish-how-americans-describe-americans/"
categories:
  - "Generations, Age & Politics"
  - "Millennials"
  - "National Conditions"
  - "Political Ideals & Systems"
  - "Politics & Policy"
---

# Patriotic, honest and selfish: How Americans describe … Americans

[![Most Americans say the 'typical American' is patriotic, intelligent - and selfish](https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2015/12/FT_15.12.11_typicalAmerican_patriotic.png)](https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2015/12/11/patriotic-honest-and-selfish-how-americans-describe-americans/ft_15-12-11_typicalamerican_patriotic/)

The American public has shown itself to be quite critical in its views of politicians and the federal government, expressing low levels of trust in both. Yet [a recent Pew Research Center survey of attitudes about government](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2015/11/23/beyond-distrust-how-americans-view-their-government/) also finds that Americans pull no punches when assessing the strengths and weaknesses of their fellow citizens.

The public gives the “typical American” a mixed assessment when asked about specific traits. Most (79%) agree that the term “patriotic” describes the typical American very or fairly well, and majorities also view the typical American as “honest” (69%) and “intelligent” (67%).

However, just over two-thirds (68%) say the term “selfish” also applies to the typical American very or fairly well, and half of the public says that the typical American can be aptly described as “lazy.”

[![Millennials more likely to describe typical American as ‘lazy’](https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2015/12/FT_15.12.11_typicalAmerican_lazy_v2.png)](https://www.pewresearch.org/?attachment_id=275916)

In general, younger people tend have more negative views of the typical American than do older adults. Millennials, who are highly critical of [members of their own generation](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2015/09/29/mixed-views-of-initial-u-s-response-to-europes-migrant-crisis/), are especially likely to see the typical American as lazy: 63% say that term applies at least fairly well, compared with no more than about half in older age cohorts.

It’s worth noting, however, that in [a separate Pew Research Center survey](https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2015/12/11/public-interest-in-science-and-health-linked-to-gender-age-and-personality/) released today, few Americans call *themselves* “lazy.”

[![Both parties have lost confidence and trust in public’s political wisdom](https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2015/12/FT_15.12.11_typicalAmerican_parties.png)](https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2015/12/11/patriotic-honest-and-selfish-how-americans-describe-americans/ft_15-12-11_typicalamerican_parties/)

When it comes to politics, the public also is self-critical: Just 34% say they have “very great” or a “good” deal of trust and confidence in the political wisdom of the American people. Fully 63% have “not very much” confidence or “no confidence at all.”

These views have changed dramatically since 2007, when a majority (57%) had at least a good deal of trust and confidence in the American people’s political wisdom. The decline has come among both Democrats and Republicans: Just 37% of Democrats and Democratic leaners have at least a good deal of confidence in the public’s political wisdom, as do 36% of Republicans and Republican leaners, down from 57% and 61%, respectively, eight years ago.

However, even as the public readily acknowledges the shortcomings of Americans, a majority nonetheless see themselves as better able than politicians to solve the nation’s problems.

Most Americans (56%) acknowledge that the big issues facing the country lack clear solutions. Yet a comparable majority (55%) says that “ordinary Americans” could do a better job than elected officials of solving the country’s problems. Only about four-in-ten (39%) say elected officials could do no better than the politicians.

[![Most say ‘ordinary Americans’ would do better than elected officials in solving nation’s problems ](https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2015/12/FT_15.12.11_typicalAmerican_elected.png)](https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2015/12/11/patriotic-honest-and-selfish-how-americans-describe-americans/ft_15-12-11_typicalamerican_elected/)

The belief that ordinary people are superior problem-solvers is particularly widespread among the minority of Americans (22%) who say they are angry with the federal government. Among those angry at government, 73% say ordinary Americans could do better than politicians. That compares with 53% of those who are frustrated, but not angry, with government and 40% of those who are basically content with the federal government.