Statewide differences in personality: toward a psychological geography of the United States.

Publisher: American Psychological Association Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 0370521 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1935-990X (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 0003066X NLM ISO Abbreviation: Am Psychol Subsets: MEDLINE

Original Publication: Washington, DC : American Psychological Association

Culture* ; Personality* ; Social Environment*; Attitude to Health ; Cultural Evolution ; Health Status ; Humans ; Politics ; United States

There is overwhelming evidence from research in the regional sciences that the attitudes, values, and behaviors of Americans are geographically clustered. Psychologists, however, have historically had little to say about regional differences. This article aims to redress that neglect. In so doing, I provide evidence that there are statewide personality differences across the United States, offer potential explanations for those differences, and show that regional personality differences are linked to a variety of important social indicators. I also explain how a regional perspective can inform research in a variety of areas in psychology and suggest ways in which researchers can study regional differences in their own work. Ultimately, this work is intended to raise awareness in psychology about the value that a regional perspective can add to theory and research.
(Copyright 2010 APA, all rights reserved.)

Comment in: Am Psychol. 2011 Dec;66(9):917-8. (PMID: 22121993)

Date Created: 20100909 Date Completed: 20101228 Latest Revision: 20120106

20240628

10.1037/a0018194

20822196