The 4 States With the Most Psychopaths Might Surprise You
If you've ever suspected that where you live might be shaping your personality, science is now backing you up — in a way that's both fascinating and deeply unsettling.
According to a massive new study led by researchers at the University of Copenhagen, certain places in the U.S. are more likely to produce people with what psychologists call "dark" personality traits. Four states top the list.
The study analyzed data from more than 2 million people across 183 countries and all 50 U.S. states. Researchers looked at dark traits like psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism, and compared them with what they called "adverse societal conditions" — things like poverty, inequality, corruption, and violence.
The findings were clear: people living in harsher environments tend to score higher on the so-called "Dark Factor."
So which U.S. states stood out? Nevada, New York, South Dakota, and Texas topped the rankings for the highest levels of these traits.
The researchers relied on crime rates, poverty stats, and corruption convictions to draw their conclusions. The results were consistent. People living in places with more societal dysfunction are more likely to show signs of selfishness, aggression, and a willingness to exploit others.
Lead researcher Ingo Zettler explained that the study doesn't mean people in those states are doomed to be bad actors. However, it does suggest that our surroundings shape us more than we might think.
"Even small variations can lead to large differences in how societies function," he said.
On the flip side, the states with the lowest levels of dark traits were Vermont, Utah, Maine, and Oregon. These areas tend to be more economically balanced and socially stable, creating environments that, according to the study, are less likely to foster toxic behavior.
The takeaway? Dark personality traits aren't just something we're born with. They're also a product of the world we live in.
While the data can't predict individual behavior, it paints a sobering picture of how deep the connection between society and psychology really runs.The 4 States With the Most Psychopaths Might Surprise You first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 18, 2025
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