Copenhagen study finds toxic governments impact development of certain personality traits

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have found that countries with a high level of corruption, violence and poverty have higher levels of people with personality traits like narcissism, sadism and psychopathy. It suggests the way a society is governed has a cultural impact on the populous.

Global study

Ingo Zettler, psychology professor and one of three researchers who conducted the University of Copenhagen study, said:

The more adverse conditions in a society, the higher the level of the Dark Factor of Personality among its citizens. This applies both globally and within the United States.

The comprehensive study used data from two million people across 183 countries and all US states. Academics combined a personality questionnaire with data on the social conditions during the past 20 years in each location.

Zettler explained:

In societies where rules are broken without consequences and where the conditions for many citizens are bad, individuals perceive and learn that one should actually think of oneself first.

The study found that nations like Indonesia and Mexico or US states such as Louisiana and Nevada had worse levels of ‘dark’ personality traits then countries like New Zealand and Denmark, or states like Utah and Vermont, which harboured better social conditions (less poverty, inequality, and corruption).

Zettler also said:

Aversive personality traits are associated with behaviours such as aggression, cheating, and exploitation – and thus with high social costs. Therefore, even small variations can lead to large differences in how societies function.

Zettler’s findings are supported by Will Black’s book Psychopathic Cultures and Toxic Empires. Black examines the notion that psychopaths are more prevalent in powerful institutions in society.

Philosophers and the study

Philosophers have long explored such similar ideas. Karl Marx defined human nature as a feedback loop between an individual and their environment – meaning a person’s natural inclinations enter an equation with the society they live in. Of course, Marx developed many of his ideas from 19th Century philosopher Georg W F Hegel.

Hegel saw the progression of institutions such as government and corporations as a realisation of a synthesis between the individual and the universal. This is an abstract formation of what the Cophenhagen academics are refining.

Rat park

Other scientific studies have also pointed to the importance of environment. Rats do not become addicted to cocaine if they live in Rat Park – a play pen with lots of other rats, sex, and good food. They much prefer the water bottle over the cocaine one and only use the latter occasionally. That’s compared to rats who are isolated with no social environment where they take cocaine until they overdose. This suggests the conditions in a person’s environment can also contribute to addiction levels.

The Cophenhagen University study shows the link between governing politics and personality. It also demonstrates that the society we live in has a huge impact.

Zettler concludes:

Our findings substantiate that personality is not just something we are born with, but also shaped by the society we grew up and live in. This means that reforms that reduce corruption and inequality not only create better living conditions just now – they may also contribute to mitigating aversive personality levels among the citizens in the future.

Featured image via the Canary