Psychopathy scores run a bit higher among Americans still living in their home state, study finds

A recent study published in Personality and Individual Differences reveals that adults who still reside in the U.S. state where they were born tend to have slightly higher scores on psychopathy compared to those who have relocated. Dark personality traits, which encompass narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy, were found to be more prevalent among those who remained in their home state.

The research suggests that regional differences in personality may be influenced by a combination of environmental factors and individual choices. Psychopathy, characterized by emotional callousness, low empathy, and impulsivity, can make it challenging for individuals to maintain healthy relationships but may also enable them to achieve short-term personal goals depending on their surroundings.

Factors such as state-level income levels, education attainment, population density, and homicide rates interact with these traits. The study's authors propose two reasons why people who stay in their childhood state might score higher on dark traits: financial and social limitations that come with moving, as well as the potential for certain exploitative behaviors to thrive within stable, familiar local networks.