do you assume someone is automatically good or automatically bad?

No, I believe everyone has a potential to be good at something. If they are not, maybe they are not utilizing the potential to the full extent, or just not putting enough interest in. I like to see people get better at what they are doing, but if they being plain lazy, I don’t want to be around them.

I assume the worst everytime. I've been conditioned to so I have my expectations really really low.

I naturally think people are good when I meet them. Very rarely i have a bad feeling about someone when i first meet them, the twice that I have it turns out that my instinct was correct. That being not everyone I met who I thought would be good did turn out good

I never assume either.
It's how someone behaves that counts.
I watch behaviour.
If it's disruptive, abusive or destructive I avoid them.

I don't assume nor presume anything but it's better to be cautious. "Never judge a book by its cover" just about covers it.

I'm ambivalent towards people. I've learned to avoid most people when possible. A better way for me to live anyway.

Well from what I hear it feels more like survival instinct in you is very heightened. Is that because of some incident in your past?

bunny333 no give them time either to be a friend or show there true colours

I assume they're good until they give me reason to doubt

I have a habit of doing that.

The latter. It’s unfortunate.

The majority of people are good.

In some ways you are correct and many people have decided to think this way but there are some downsides such as too much mistrust. Inability to show your true self and be vulnerable which cuts off connections.
I think that a moderate approach is best. This is known as " Trust but Verify"
Means that I will take you at your word or I will assume the best of things but I will not rely on what you've said or be shocked when you do bad unless I have verified for myself what is going on.