If you’ve ever side-eyed your neighbor for being a little too cold-hearted—or had a coworker who seemed way too comfortable throwing others under the bus—you’re not alone in wondering: Is it just them… or is something in the air?
A new scientific study just might offer some answers. According to researchers, certain U.S. states—and countries around the globe—have a noticeably higher concentration of people with “dark” personality traits like narcissism, psychopathy, and even sadism. And it’s not random. These traits appear to bloom more readily in places with high inequality, corruption, poverty, and violence.
What Are “Dark Personalities”?
First, let’s break down what the researchers mean by “dark.” No, we’re not talking about villains in capes or people with creepy hobbies. Psychologists refer to the “Dark Factor of Personality” (D-factor)—a kind of psychological umbrella that includes traits such as:
Narcissism
Narcissism goes beyond just taking too many selfies or loving compliments—it’s a deep-seated belief that you are more important, more deserving, and more talented than others. Narcissistic individuals often crave constant attention and admiration, not just for validation but because they genuinely believe they are superior. They may brag about achievements (even if exaggerated), struggle to accept criticism, and often treat relationships as tools to boost their ego rather than genuine emotional connections. Think of someone who sees life as a spotlight—and refuses to share the stage.
But there’s another side to this coin: beneath that grand exterior can be a fragile sense of self-worth, constantly needing outside praise to stay afloat. That’s why narcissists can become defensive or even aggressive when they feel ignored or criticized.
Read more: Don’t Be Fooled – These Are the 5 Traits Most Psychopaths Have in Common
Psychopathy
This isn’t just a label thrown around in crime shows—true psychopathy is a serious and well-studied personality trait. At its core, it involves a chilling lack of empathy or remorse. Psychopaths can hurt others—emotionally or physically—without feeling guilt or concern. They’re often impulsive, bold, and charming, which can make them surprisingly likable at first… until you realize they’re not playing by the same emotional rulebook.
They’re skilled at pretending to care but don’t actually feel the emotions they mimic. Their fearlessness can be thrilling, but it’s often coupled with risky behavior, lies, and manipulation. Imagine someone driving a car with no brakes, no seatbelt, and no regard for who they crash into—just full-speed ahead.
Machiavellianism
Named after the political strategist Niccolò Machiavelli, this trait is all about clever manipulation. People high in Machiavellianism are master puppeteers—they’re calculating, strategic, and deeply focused on personal gain. They’ll often manipulate others not out of emotion, but out of sheer tactical advantage. They don’t necessarily enjoy hurting people like sadists might, but if someone gets stepped on along the way, that’s just collateral damage.
They’re the type to smile in your face while quietly steering you into a decision that benefits them. They’re not driven by chaos or thrill, but by cold, calculated logic—always playing the long game.
Sadism
Sadism takes things to a darker level. Unlike the other dark traits, sadism isn’t just about using others—it’s about enjoying their suffering. A sadistic person may feel excitement, satisfaction, or even joy from witnessing pain, humiliation, or distress in others. It could show up in obvious ways (like bullying or cruelty), or in subtler forms—relishing harsh criticism, shaming others online, or setting traps just to watch someone fail.
What makes this trait particularly troubling is that the hurt inflicted isn’t always a means to an end—it’s the end itself. While most of us cringe at someone else’s discomfort, sadists lean in closer.
All these traits fall under the D-factor because they involve putting oneself first—even at the expense of others. Someone high on the D-factor scale may cheat, lie, exploit, or harm others without a second thought, all in the name of personal gain.
How the Study Was Conducted: More Than Just Gut Feeling
This wasn’t just a vibes-based guess. The research, published in the journal PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences), analyzed data from an impressive 1.8 million people across 183 countries, including 144,000 U.S. residents.
To get a fuller picture of why certain places seem to breed “darker” traits, researchers cross-referenced personality data with socioeconomic conditions. These included:
- Poverty and inequality – from U.S. Census data
- Corruption – using Department of Justice conviction data
- Violence – measured via FBI homicide rates
Outside the U.S., they tapped into World Bank data to assess global trends in inequality, social justice, and living conditions.
The results? Pretty telling. The more adversity and corruption in a society, the more likely its people were to show higher levels of the D-factor.
Read more: Brilliant Comebacks That Will Instantly Disarm Manipulators
What the Data Reveals: The Darker Corners of the U.S.
So, which U.S. states topped the list for “darkness”? According to the study, these states had the highest D-factor scores:
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Texas
- Nevada
- South Dakota
- New York
These states were noted for higher levels of social inequality, violent crime, and political corruption—factors that, according to the study, can subtly shape people’s personalities over time. It’s not that everyone in these places is dangerous or manipulative, of course. But statistically, the odds are a bit higher.
Conversely, these states scored the lowest on the D-factor scale:
- Utah
- Vermont
- New Hampshire
- Maine
- Oregon
- Alaska
These places tend to have lower crime rates, more social equality, and stronger public trust in institutions—ingredients that, it seems, support healthier and more cooperative personalities.
Why Environment Matters: Nature vs. Nurture
One of the most interesting takeaways from the study is the suggestion that dark personality traits are not fixed from birth. Instead, they appear to be shaped by the world we grow up in.
In places where rules are enforced and fairness is upheld, people are less likely to develop exploitative tendencies. But in environments that are chaotic or unjust, people may learn to prioritize survival over empathy. They begin to believe, often unconsciously, that “if I don’t take care of myself, no one else will.”
As researcher Ingo Zettler from the University of Copenhagen put it:
“The more adverse conditions in a society, the higher the level of the ‘Dark Factor of Personality’ among its citizens… People perceive and learn that one should actually think of oneself first.”
Beyond the U.S.: A Global Glimpse
This isn’t just an American issue. Around the world, countries like Indonesia and Mexico also showed higher D-factor levels—mirroring their own struggles with inequality, corruption, and violence. On the other end of the spectrum, Denmark and New Zealand scored low on the D-factor, much like the U.S. states of Vermont or Oregon. These nations typically rank high in quality of life and trust in government, which may help shape kinder, more cooperative societies.
What Can Be Done?
While you can’t exactly “cure” someone’s dark personality, the researchers emphasize that these traits are not unchangeable. The best path forward, they argue, is through societal reform. That means:
- Reducing income inequality
- Strengthening institutions to reduce corruption
- Improving access to education and healthcare
- Addressing crime and public safety
These may sound like big, slow-moving policy goals, but they can pay off in surprisingly human ways. Even slight improvements in social fairness can help prevent the development of traits like aggression, selfishness, or manipulation—ultimately creating more trusting, healthier communities.
A Word of Caution
Of course, it’s important to recognize the limitations of the study. For one, it doesn’t track how long someone has lived in a state or country. A high-D-factor person in Texas might’ve just moved there from Vermont—and vice versa. Personality development is a long-term process, and location is just one piece of the puzzle.
Still, the findings underline a powerful idea: our personalities are not isolated from the world around us. How safe, fair, and stable our society feels can quietly shape how we treat others—and whether we lean more toward compassion or exploitation.
Read more: Common Habits of High-Level Gaslighters, Backed by Psychology
So… Should You Move?
Not necessarily. This research doesn’t mean you should pack up and flee to Vermont just yet. But it does offer something to reflect on: improving our communities isn’t just about fixing potholes or funding schools—it might also be the key to helping people become better, kinder versions of themselves.
So whether you’re in Louisiana or Alaska, it seems our neighborhoods shape us more than we realize—and that, perhaps, is the real power of this study.
