Neurotic in New York seeks orderly in Arizona: Personality study of people in the USA by state

[Source: Current.com] — The personalities of people in the USA often differ according to the state in which they live, a new study led by Cambridge University has revealed.  Researchers used the results from more than half a million online surveys to create a “personality map” of the United States, showing that different types of people are more likely to live and flourish in different parts of the country.  The research team found “striking” wider geographical trends, such as a national “stress belt” dividing the more anxious and impulsive eastern USA from the comparatively relaxed west.  They also identified strong links between personality traits and certain social phenomena, such as crime and life expectancy rates.

The study is the first analysis of its kind and was led by Dr. Jason Rentfrow.  “Although these are preliminary findings and require more evaluation, they did throw up some striking geographical trends,” Dr. Rentfrow said.  “Obviously it’s not as simple as saying that a person is guaranteed to be more anxious if they come from West Virginia or more religious because they happen to live in New Mexico; but we did find pretty clear signs that there are meaningful differences in the personalities of people living in different areas of the United States.

Among the key findings (summarized below), Arizona ranked high in Conscientiousness and low Neuroticism:

EXTRAVERSION (Personality traits: Sociable, energetic, and enthusiastic)

• High-scoring states: ND, DC, NE, MN, GA, SD, UT, IL, FL
• Low-scoring states: VT, WA, AK, NH, MD, ID, VA, OR, MT, MA

AGREEABLENESS (Personality traits: Warm, compassionate, co-operative, and friendly)

• Highest-scoring states: ND, MN MS, UT, WI, TN, NC, GA, OK, NE
• Lowest-scoring states: NY, NV, WY, DC, AK, ME, RI, VA, CT, MT

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS (Personality traits: Dutiful, responsible, self-disciplined)

• Highest-scoring states: NM, NC, GA, UT, KS, OK, NE, FL, AZ, MO
• Lowest-scoring states: WY, RI, HI, ME, AK, CT, NJ, NH, MA, NY

NEUROTICISM (Personality traits: Anxious, stressful and impulsive)

• Highest-scoring states: WV, RI, NY, MS, NJ, PA, KY, LA, OH, AR
• Lowest-scoring states: AK, OR, SD, CO, UT, WA, AZ, NE, ND, NV

OPENNESS (Personality traits: Curious, intellectual, creative)

• Highest-scoring states: DC, NY, OR, MA, WA, CA, VT, CO, NV, MD
• Lowest-scoring states: WI, AL, AK, WY, ND, HI, KY, NE, IA, DE