--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A study at the University of Utah found…" description: "\"A study at the University of Utah found that if you ask someone why he is friendly with someone else, he’ll say it is because he and his friend share s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/233/malcolm-gladwell-348_attitude_a-study-at-the-university-of-utah-found_390015.jpg" --- # A study at the University of Utah found that if you ask… ![“A study at the University of Utah found that if you ask someone why he is friendly with someone else, he’ll say it is because he and his friend share similar attitudes. But if you actually quiz the two of them on their attitudes, you’ll find out that what they actually share is similar activities…” quote by Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/233/malcolm-gladwell-348_attitude_a-study-at-the-university-of-utah-found_390015.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/233/malcolm-gladwell-348_attitude_a-study-at-the-university-of-utah-found_390015.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/233/malcolm-gladwell-348_attitude_a-study-at-the-university-of-utah-found_390015.jpg) > “A study at the University of Utah found that if you ask someone why he is friendly with someone else, he’ll say it is because he and his friend share similar attitudes. But if you actually quiz the two of them on their attitudes, you’ll find out that what they actually share is similar activities. We’re friends with the people we do things with, as much as we are with the people we resemble. We don’t seek out friends, in other words. We associate with the people who occupy the same small, physical spaces that we do.” [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People form friendships more through shared activities and environments than through similar attitudes or traits. **In simple terms:** Friends are made by doing things together. Key Takeaway Seek common activities to build connections. Themes friendship social behavior environment activity similarity Mood reflective insightful Type observational analytical When to use this quote - team projects - neighborhood groups - clubs - workplace collaborations Key Concepts social psychology behavioral economics proximity effect Questions to Reflect On - What activities could you join to meet new friends? - Do you value shared experiences over shared beliefs? A Different Perspective Assumes activity always leads to deeper similarity, which may not hold for all relationships. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Activities Friends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/activities-friends-3520649/) [Associate People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/associate-people-361444/) [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Found](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/found/) [Friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friend/) [Friendly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendly/) [Friends People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friends-people/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Quiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quiz/) [Seek Friends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seek-friends-3100784/) [Share](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/share/) [Similar Attitudes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/similar-attitudes-3520648/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) [Study](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/study/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) [University](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/university/) [Utah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/utah/) ## Related quotes > [“Avoid those who seek friends in order to maintain a certain social status or to open doors they would not otherwise be able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/avoid-those-who-seek-friends-in-order-to-maintain-a-certain-social/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [“Don’t seek friends just to have them, and don’t put your trust where it does not belong.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-e-modesitt-jr/don-t-seek-friends-just-to-have-them-and-don-t-put-your-trust-where/) [L.E. Modesitt Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-e-modesitt-jr/) > [If a negative atmosphere pervades where you live or work, go elsewhere. Seek out friends, business associates, and mentors with positive attitudes who share…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-devos/if-a-negative-atmosphere-pervades-where-you-live-or-work-go-elsewhere/) [Richard M. DeVos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-devos/) > [Those who only seek friends without seeking to be a good friend are selfishly needy and demanding. And those who only want to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-driscoll/those-who-only-seek-friends-without-seeking-to-be-a-good-friend-are/) [Mark Driscoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-driscoll/) > [The more we feel concern for others and seek their well-being, the more friends we will have and the more welcome we will feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/the-more-we-feel-concern-for-others-and-seek-their-well-being-the/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Ever since you been gone I've been all alone. Thinkin' about yesterday, games that we use to play glassballkeens, hide and go seek, you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-latimore/ever-since-you-been-gone-i-ve-been-all-alone-thinkin-about-yesterday/) [Jacob Latimore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-latimore/) > [Let us seek friends that will stir up our prayers, our Bible reading, our use of time, and our salvation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/let-us-seek-friends-that-will-stir-up-our-prayers-our-bible-reading/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [I only associate myself with people who are on my level. Those below you will bring you below them. Stay up!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-only-associate-myself-with-people-who-are-on-my-level-those-below/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [One of the ways you learn about life is to associate with people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-ron-hubbard/one-of-the-ways-you-learn-about-life-is-to-associate-with-people/) [L. Ron Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-ron-hubbard/) > [Always associate yourself with people who are better than you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/always-associate-yourself-with-people-who-are-better-than-you/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [The people that I associate myself with are people that are looking to make a good product because it's going to benefit them and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gordon-green/the-people-that-i-associate-myself-with-are-people-that-are-looking/) [David Gordon Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gordon-green/) > [Associate yourself with people who think positively. You cannot surround yourself with negative people and expect positive outcomes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-bennett/associate-yourself-with-people-who-think-positively-you-cannot/) [Roy Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-bennett/) > [Retire into yourself as much as possible. Associate with people who are likely to improve you. Welcome those whom you are capable of improving.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/retire-into-yourself-as-much-as-possible-associate-with-people-who/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Associate yourself with people of good quality, for it is better to be alone than in bad company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/associate-yourself-with-people-of-good-quality-for-it-is-better-to-be/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [Surround yourself with people of like mind and different talents and temperaments with the purpose of serving the goals of every member of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-olson/surround-yourself-with-people-of-like-mind-and-different-talents-and/) [Jeff Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-olson/) ## More by Malcolm Gladwell > [When I go to my health club, and it's in the basement, you have to take the elevator down. And this drives me crazy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/when-i-go-to-my-health-club-and-it-s-in-the-basement-you-have-to-take/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/the-tipping-point-is-that-magic-moment-when-an-idea-trend-or-social/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [“The scholars who research happiness suggest that more money stops making people happier at a family income of around seventy-five thousand dollars a year.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/the-scholars-who-research-happiness-suggest-that-more-money-stops/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [We need to be clear when we venerate entrepreneurs what we are venerating.They are not moral leaders. If they were moral leaders, they wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/we-need-to-be-clear-when-we-venerate-entrepreneurs-what-we-are/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [“Some people look like they sound better than they actually sound, because they look confident and have good posture," once musician, a veteran of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/some-people-look-like-they-sound-better-than-they-actually-sound/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [A handicap is like trying to race and you have a ten pound weight stuck to your waist. That is a handicap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/a-handicap-is-like-trying-to-race-and-you-have-a-ten-pound-weight/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [“neighborhood was filled with engineers from Hewlett-Packard, then as now one of”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/neighborhood-was-filled-with-engineers-from-hewlett-packard-then-as/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [“People are ruined by challenged economic lives. But they are ruined by wealth as well because they lose their ambition and they lose their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/people-are-ruined-by-challenged-economic-lives-but-they-are-ruined-by/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [The single most important thing a city can do is provide a community where interesting, smart people want to live with their families.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/the-single-most-important-thing-a-city-can-do-is-provide-a-community/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [ \[Norden\] said, with the Mark 15 Norden bombsight, he could drop a bomb into a pickle barrel at 20,000 feet. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/norden-said-with-the-mark-15-norden-bombsight-he-could-drop-a-bomb/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [The willingness to be self-critical in England is much greater than the willingness to be self-critical in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/the-willingness-to-be-self-critical-in-england-is-much-greater-than/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [The conventional explanation for Jewish success, of course, is that Jews come from a literate, intellectual culture. They are famously "the people of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/the-conventional-explanation-for-jewish-success-of-course-is-that/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [“An archway to one side leads to a church, the Madonna del Carmine—Our Lady of Mount Carmine. Narrow”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/an-archway-to-one-side-leads-to-a-church-the-madonna-del-carmine-our/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [People are experience-rich and theory-poor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/people-are-experience-rich-and-theory-poor/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [“Most psychologists believe that nature—genetics—accounts for about half of the reason why we tend to act the way we do. His point is simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/most-psychologists-believe-that-nature-genetics-accounts-for-about/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) [Explore all 647 Malcolm Gladwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) [Isaiah Harden (Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaiah-harden-me/) > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) [Sheye Hassan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheye-hassan/) > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A study at the University of Utah found that if you ask someone why he is friendly with someone else, he’ll say it is because he and his friend share similar attitudes. 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