People used a greater variety of terms to describe people we don't like compared to those that we like and a greater number of terms for describing people they knew well. 

Results: Vocabulary for describing disliked persons is more differentiated than vocabulary for describing liked persons.

This study sought to investigate if there was a greater number of negative terms used to describe people than positive terms. They asked participants to come up with terms to describe people that they like and don't like and know-well and don't know-well.

Alma College

Relates to how we use traits to describe people we like and don't like

Traits for Liked and Disliked Others

Leising, D., Ostrovski, O., & Borkenau, P. (2012). Vocabulary for describing disliked persons is more differentiated than vocabulary for describing liked persons. Journal of Research in Personality, 46(4), 393-396.

Vocabulary for Describing Disliked People is More Differentiated than Vocabulary for Describing Liked People

Terms for Describing Disliked Others is More Differentiated Than Those for Liked Others

We tend to have more knowledge about people we like compared to those that we dislike. Intuitively, one would think if we have more knowledge about various individuals we would see them as being more unique. However, research suggest this is not always true. This series of studies investigated if people tend to view liked others as more similar to themselves and others when compared to disliked others despite having more knowledge about them. 

My Friends Are All Alike: Liking and Similarity  

A study that investigated the differences in our construct systems in how we view liked and disliked co-workers. They looked at the role of cognitive differentiation, gender, job level, and upward mobility. 

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