Some people bring out the best in those around them, while others seem to drain the energy from every room they enter.
What makes the difference? It often comes down to habits.
Low-quality people tend to share certain traits—patterns of behavior that push others away, create unnecessary drama, or make life harder for themselves and those around them. And the most interesting part? Psychology explains why these habits are so common.
Here are nine unique habits that low-quality people tend to have, according to psychology.
1) They always play the victim
Some people take responsibility for their actions, while others always find a way to blame someone else.
Low-quality people tend to have a habit of playing the victim. No matter what happens, it’s never their fault. If they fail at something, it’s because the world is against them. If they hurt someone, they claim they were “forced” into it.
Psychology calls this *external locus of control*—the belief that life just *happens* to you instead of being something you can influence. While it can be true in some cases, constantly blaming others creates a toxic mindset that pushes people away.
Instead of learning from mistakes and growing, those who always play the victim stay stuck in the same patterns—making life harder for themselves and everyone around them.
2) They take but never give
Have you ever had a friend who only reaches out when they need something? I have, and it was exhausting.
I once had a coworker who would constantly ask for favors—covering their shifts, helping with projects, even lending them money. At first, I didn’t mind. I believed in being generous and supportive. But over time, I noticed something: they never returned the favor.
Whenever I needed help, they were suddenly too busy or unavailable. It became clear that our “friendship” was one-sided. Psychologists call this *social exchange theory*—the idea that relationships are built on give and take. When one person only takes, the relationship becomes unbalanced and frustrating.
Low-quality people have a habit of using others without giving anything in return. And once you recognize it, you start to see just how draining these relationships can be.
3) They thrive on drama
Some people always seem to have chaos following them wherever they go. Arguments, gossip, and conflicts—if there’s drama, they’re right in the middle of it.
Psychologists have actually identified something called *high-conflict personality*. People with this trait tend to create problems where none exist, escalate minor issues into big fights, and constantly seek attention through conflict.
Low-quality people thrive on drama because it gives them a sense of importance. Instead of solving problems, they stir things up, turning every situation into a spectacle. And the worst part? They often drag others into their mess, making life stressful for everyone around them.
4) They never apologize sincerely
Everyone makes mistakes, but low-quality people struggle to take responsibility for theirs. Instead of offering a genuine apology, they deflect, minimize, or shift the blame.
You’ve probably heard some of their classic lines before: *“I’m sorry you feel that way.”* or *“I guess I’ll just be the bad guy then.”* These aren’t real apologies—they’re just ways to avoid accountability while making themselves look like the victim.
Sincere apologies help rebuild trust and strengthen relationships. But low-quality people see admitting fault as a weakness. Rather than owning up to their actions, they’ll do whatever they can to protect their ego—even if it damages their relationships in the process.
5) They resent other people’s success
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Instead of feeling inspired by other people’s achievements, low-quality people feel threatened. When someone they know succeeds, they respond with jealousy, criticism, or even outright hostility.
Psychologists call this *social comparison theory*—the idea that people measure their own worth by comparing themselves to others. But rather than using these comparisons as motivation for self-improvement, low-quality people let them breed resentment.
They might downplay someone’s hard work, spread negativity, or secretly hope for others to fail. Instead of celebrating success, they take it personally—like someone else’s win somehow makes them a loser. And that mindset holds them back more than anything else.
6) They lack basic empathy
Empathy is what makes relationships meaningful. It’s the ability to understand and care about what someone else is going through. Without it, connections feel shallow, and people end up feeling unheard and unimportant.
Low-quality people struggle with empathy. They dismiss other people’s feelings, make everything about themselves, or simply don’t care how their actions affect those around them. When someone is hurting, they may respond with indifference—or worse, mockery.
Being around someone like this can be painful. Everyone deserves to be heard and understood, but when you’re dealing with a person who lacks empathy, it can feel like you’re talking to a wall. Over time, that kind of emotional neglect takes a toll, making relationships feel cold and one-sided.
7) They refuse to grow
Life is full of lessons, but low-quality people refuse to learn from them. They make the same mistakes over and over, blaming circumstances instead of looking inward.
It’s frustrating to deal with someone like this. You can offer advice, encouragement, even second chances, but nothing changes. They stay stuck in toxic patterns—unwilling to reflect, unwilling to improve.
Growth takes humility. It requires admitting when you’re wrong, facing uncomfortable truths, and working toward becoming better. But for some people, clinging to old habits feels safer than change. And in the end, that choice keeps them from becoming the person they could be.
8) They manipulate to get what they want
Honest communication builds trust, but low-quality people prefer to manipulate. Instead of being direct, they use guilt, deceit, or emotional pressure to control situations and the people around them.
One common tactic is *gaslighting*—making others question their own reality. Phrases like *“That never happened”* or *“You’re overreacting”* are designed to make someone doubt themselves, giving the manipulator more power.
Another tactic is guilt-tripping—making people feel bad for setting boundaries or saying no. Rather than respecting others’ choices, they twist the situation until they get what they want.
Manipulation might work in the short term, but it destroys relationships over time. People eventually catch on, and once trust is broken, it’s nearly impossible to repair.
9) They drain the energy of those around them
Some people leave you feeling uplifted after spending time together. Low-quality people do the opposite—they drain your energy, leaving you exhausted, frustrated, or emotionally depleted.
It’s not always obvious at first. But over time, patterns emerge. Conversations feel one-sided. Interactions feel heavy. You start dreading their presence because it feels like they take more than they give.
Psychologists call this *emotional contagion*—the way moods and attitudes spread from person to person. Negative people don’t just affect themselves; they pull others down with them. And if you’re not careful, their toxic habits can start influencing you too.
Bottom line: the company you keep matters
The people we surround ourselves with have a profound impact on our mindset, emotions, and overall well-being.
Psychologists have long studied the effects of toxic relationships, and research suggests that prolonged exposure to negativity can increase stress, lower self-esteem, and even affect physical health. Just as positive relationships can uplift and inspire, unhealthy ones can drain and diminish.
Recognizing low-quality behavior isn’t about judging others—it’s about protecting your own peace. The more aware you become of these habits, the easier it is to set boundaries and prioritize relationships that bring value to your life.
At the end of the day, the company you keep shapes the person you become. Choose wisely.
