Study Links Dark Personality Traits to Social Conditions
It turns out that our personalities aren’t just a matter of genetics; they’re significantly influenced by our upbringing. States like Nevada, New York, South Dakota, and Texas show a notably high percentage of individuals with what’s termed “dark personality traits.”
A recent study led by researchers at the University of Copenhagen found variations in these traits based on geographical location and the prevalence of adverse social conditions (ASC).
Dark personality traits, often referred to together as the dark triad, include traits like narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. These traits are recognized by psychologists as indicators of certain mental disorders.
Adverse social conditions describe large-scale societal issues such as exploitation, fraud, corruption, inequality, and violence.
“While it’s commonly understood that both genetic and environmental factors shape personality, not many studies explore the impact of ethically or socially adverse traits,” one researcher explained in a comment to Newsweek.
The study, published in 2025, spanned two decades, aiming to explore the global relationship between living conditions and the incidence of dark personality traits.
An examination of 183 countries involved nearly 1.8 million participants. Researchers specifically looked at the United States, focusing on individual experiences associated with adverse social conditions.
Data collected included U.S. census figures on socioeconomic disparities, FBI murder rates, and reports of corruption from the Department of Justice.
In total, responses from 144,576 Americans across all 50 states contributed insights for the study.
Researchers observed that areas with high poverty and crime rates, along with significant income inequality and limited healthcare access, not surprisingly tended to foster darker personalities among their residents.
“The more social disadvantages there are, the more prevalent darker personality traits become among people,” Zettler pointed out. He noted that these traits often manifest in behaviors like aggression and exploitation, creating higher costs for society. Even minor variations can lead to larger impacts on societal well-being.
Urban areas across the U.S., such as Los Angeles, New York City, and San Francisco, illustrate this well. These cities are known for their economic diversity, which can create tension and concerns about equal access to essentials, raising the incidence of dark traits.
Conversely, states with more rural regions like Vermont, Utah, Maine, and Oregon, tend to see less development of these traits. Their relative economic stability and geographic isolation contribute to this outcome.
“Growing up in a location with high ASC doesn’t mean you’ll automatically become selfish or immoral,” noted Susan Kraus Whitborn. “What the findings suggest is a kind of adaptability; if harsh conditions are prevalent, there’s a likelihood of adopting corresponding traits, particularly if one faces significant financial hardship.”
Ultimately, Zettler concluded, “Our research shows that personality is shaped not only by genetics but also by the societal context we grow up in.” Thus, efforts aimed at reducing corruption and inequality might not only improve current living conditions but also help cultivate better personality traits in future generations.
