# People judge strangers by their own motivations

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/culture/people-judge-strangers-by-their-own-motivations/

> Indexed question in Culture.

## Reading

When gauging how driven a stranger is, a plurality of Americans (32%) say they lean on their own level of motivation somewhat, according to a May 2026 Verasight survey. A further 17% lean on it moderately and 15% only a little.

Toward the strong end, 10% rely on it a lot and 6% a great deal, while 10% lean on it very little and 9% not at all.

## Topline

When judging how motivated a stranger is to pursue their goals, how much do you rely on your own level of motivation as a reference point?

People judge strangers by their own motivations.

- Somewhat: 32.2%
- Moderately: 17.4%
- A little: 15.0%
- Very little: 10.2%
- A lot: 10.2%
- Not at all: 9.3%
- A great deal: 5.7%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: US adults age 18+
- Field dates: 2026-05-11 → 2026-05-11
- Base (unweighted): 474
- Margin of error: +/- 4.8%
- Module: identity
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-3.7](https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-3.7)

## Citation

Verasight SPSP Omnibus Survey #2026-045, fielded May 11-11, 2026, N=474 US adults age 18+, +/- 4.8%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-3.7](https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-3.7)