What's happened
A study analyzing data from 183 countries and US states links adverse social conditions—poverty, inequality, violence—to higher levels of dark personality traits like psychopathy and narcissism. The research suggests societal environments influence personality development, with reforms potentially reducing these traits and their social costs.
What's behind the headline?
The findings underscore that personality is not solely innate but shaped by societal context. The research shows that adverse social conditions foster traits like manipulation, aggression, and exploitation, which have high social costs. This challenges the notion of fixed personality traits and highlights the importance of social reforms. Countries and states with better social conditions, such as Denmark and Vermont, exhibit lower levels of these traits, suggesting that reducing inequality and corruption can mitigate the development of 'dark' personalities. The moderate correlation indicates other factors also influence personality, but the societal impact is significant. Policymakers should view social reform as a tool not only for improving living standards but also for shaping healthier social behaviors, potentially reducing crime, corruption, and exploitation in the future.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that the study analyzed data from 1.8 million people across 183 countries, linking adverse social conditions to higher dark personality traits. The researchers used World Bank, Census Bureau, Justice Department, and FBI data, noting that societies with broken rules and poor conditions foster self-centered behaviors. The NY Post highlights that the study also examined US states, finding that urban areas with economic diversity tend to have higher dark trait levels, while rural states like Vermont and Utah have lower levels. The research emphasizes that personality is influenced by environment, and reforms targeting inequality and corruption could reduce these traits, ultimately benefiting societal cohesion and safety. Both articles agree on the core finding but differ slightly in emphasis—The Independent focuses on global implications, while the NY Post emphasizes US regional differences.
How we got here
The study, conducted over 20 years by researchers at the University of Copenhagen, examined global and US-specific data on social conditions and personality traits. It found that adverse societal factors such as corruption, poverty, and violence correlate with higher levels of dark personality traits, supporting the idea that environment influences personality development.
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Common question
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What Did the Study Reveal About Dark Personality Traits and Society?
A recent study published in PNAS highlights the connection between societal conditions and the development of dark personality traits like psychopathy and narcissism. This research, which analyzed data from 1.8 million people across 183 countries, raises important questions about how our environment shapes who we are. Below, we explore key findings and implications of this groundbreaking study.
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