Psychopaths and Other Dark Personalities Thrive in These Places

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
People living in societies with more corruption, inequality, poverty and violence are more likely to exhibit "dark" personality traits—like narcissism, psychopathy and spitefulness.
This is the conclusion of a new study led by psychologist professor Ingo Zettler of the University of Copenhagen, which analyzed data on nearly 2 million people across 183 countries and all 50 U.S. states.
"It is relatively well known that both genetic and socio-ecological factors shape individuals' personality. However, respective research has hardly considered ethically or socially aversive personality characteristics," Zettler told Newsweek.
Given that we now have data from about 2 million people across the world who filled out our measure on the core underlying all aversive traits via our website, we thought it would be interesting to see whether adverse societal conditions contribute to the proliferation of selfish, egoistic, and other traits," Professor Ingo Zettler told Newsweek.
A file photo of a young man looking directly at the camera. A study has found that people with "dark traits" are more likely to live in societies with more corruption, inequality, poverty and violence.
A file photo of a young man looking directly at the camera. A study has found that people with "dark traits" are more likely to live in societies with more corruption, inequality, poverty and violence.
istockphotoluis/Getty Images
Previous studies have shown that the so-called "dark triad" of personalities can show on people's faces and can even make people appear more attractive. The new analysis, however, ties these personality types to specific social settings.
In their study, to quantify societal adversity, the team used World Bank data on corruption (control of corruption), inequality (Gini index), poverty (headcount ratio at $6.85/day), and violence (homicides per 100,000 people).
For U.S. states, the researchers used Census Bureau data on inequality and poverty, FBI homicide rates, and Justice Department corruption convictions. These metrics allowed consistent comparisons across global and state-level contexts to assess long-term societal conditions.
Combining this data with the personality questionnaire results of more than 2 million participants, a clear relation appeared.
"The more adverse conditions in a society, the higher the level of the dark factor of personality among its citizens. This applies both globally and within the United States," Zettler said.
Analysis of the data found that countries like Indonesia and Mexico or U.S. states such as Louisiana and Nevada—which had higher levels of corruption, inequality, poverty, and violence—also have higher "Dark Factor" levels.
"The more adverse conditions in a society, the higher the level of the dark factor of personality among its citizens."
Ingo Zettler
Meanwhile, people in countries with lower levels of societal corruption and inequality, like Denmark and New Zealand, or states such as Utah and Vermont, tended to have have fewer "Dark Factor" personality traits.
Although the observed link between environment and personality was moderate, the authors emphasize its real-world consequences.
"Aversive personality traits are associated with behaviors such as aggression, cheating, and exploitation—and thus with high social costs. Therefore, even small variations can lead to large differences in how societies function," Zettler explained.
Zettler believes that the findings of this study could help shape views on societal reforms and the importance of building better societies.
"Our findings substantiate that personality is not just something we are born with, but also shaped by the society we grew up and live in," he said.
This means that reforms that reduce corruption and inequality not only create better living conditions just now, they may also contribute to mitigating aversive personality levels among the citizens in the future."
Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about psychology? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.
Reference
Zettler, I., Lilleholt, L., Bader, M., Hilbig, B. E., & Moshagen, M. (2025). Aversive societal conditions explain differences in "dark" personality across countries and US states. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 122(20), e2500830122. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2500830122
‌

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Newsweek

4 hours ago

• Newsweek

French Scientists Discover New Blood Group

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A group of French researchers have discovered a new, "ultra rare" blood group in a Guadeloupean woman after years of researching and sequencing her blood, the French Blood Establishment (EFS) said in a Friday press release. Newsweek has reached out to EFS's press team for comment via email on Saturday. Why It Matters The discovery marks the 48th known blood group system in the world. Understanding blood types is critical for ensuring safe and effective transfusions and organ transplants, as well as identifying certain health risks. Blood classification helps medical providers determine compatibility—or lack thereof—between donors and recipients. There are approximately 14 million units of blood transfused annually in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Outside of the well-known ABO system, there are a series of rare blood groups. What To Know In a social media post on LinkedIn, the EFS said in French that "this discovery was officially recognized in early June in Milan by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT)." The woman is the only known carrier of a rare blood type called "Gwada negative." The case first drew attention in 2011 when she required a blood transfusion, but no compatible donor could be found. Researchers later revisited her case in 2019 and identified the unique blood type through further analysis, according to the EFS's Friday press release. Thierry Peyrard, a medical biologist at the EFS involved in the discovery, told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that a "very unusual" antibody was found in the patient's blood in 2011. She was 54 years old at the time when she underwent a series of tests prior to surgery, according to Le Monde. Due to limited resources at the time, research into her blood type had been halted. Peyrard said the woman inherited the blood type from her parents who had the mutated gene. EFS, in French, said that the discovery "brings hope to patients, especially those with a rare blood type. Remember that the safety of a transfusion depends on the compatibility of blood groups." The group says it has been responsible for identifying 10 of the past 17 blood group systems discovered in the past decade. Karl Landsteiner discovered the first blood groups in the early 1900s and was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930 for his work. Serum tubes with blood samples from patients are processed in the central medical laboratory of the St. Georg Clinic in Leipzig. Serum tubes with blood samples from patients are processed in the central medical laboratory of the St. Georg Clinic in Leipzig. Waltraud Grubitzsch/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images What People Are Saying The official Nobel Prize account posted on X, formerly Twitter, on June 17: "The discovery of blood groups completely changed the view on blood transfusions, and it didn't take long before the first successful attempts were carried out. During WWI, blood transfusions were first performed on a large scale. Countless lives were also saved through surgeries, which previously had been unfeasible due to the blood loss involved." What Happens Next? Scientists continue to study blood types, advancing global health care and improving the precision and effectiveness of transfusions.

Newsweek

12 hours ago

• Newsweek

The Key to Better Sleep Is in Your Gut, Says Gastroenterologist

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Around 25 million U.S. adults suffer from insomnia. At the same time, more than 3.9 million Americans are taking probiotics, usually for gut health, according to the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA). And gut health could be the key to better sleep. A study published in the journal Engineering examined a specific probiotic strain called Lactobacillus helveticus CCFM1320. This probiotic produces a compound known as SAM (S-adenosylmethionine), which helps regulate the body's internal clock and supports the production of melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep. The researchers found that this probiotic could significantly improve sleep quality. The Gut as a Second Brain Neuroscientist Dr. Chelsie Rohrscheib, the head of sleep at Wesper, a national home sleep disorder diagnostics company, told Newsweek: "The gut essentially acts as a secondary nervous system and creates and releases many crucial neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, which also help to regulate nervous system activity. "This allows for two-way communication between the gut and the brain, called the gut-brain axis. Healthy gut microbes are essential to keeping the gut healthy and functioning, and there is ample evidence that gut microbiota dysregulation can negatively impact the activity of the gut-brain axis. Because the brain is highly sensitive, this can lead to poor sleep quality." Stock image of a woman taking pills from her nightstand before bed. Stock image of a woman taking pills from her nightstand before bed. Liudmila Chernetska/iStock / Getty Images Plus Is CCFM1320 a Game-Changing Strain? To test the effectiveness of CCFM1320 in humans, scientists from Jiangnan University conducted a four-week study with 60 volunteers who experienced sleep difficulties. Participants were divided into two groups: one received the probiotic, while the other took a placebo. Results showed that those who consumed the probiotic had better sleep scores, lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and a healthier balance of gut bacteria. Additionally, the probiotic boosted the expression of genes involved in producing and utilizing SAM, a key factor in sleep and overall health. Strain-Specific Benefits Dr. Michel Bass, a board-certified gastroenterologist and the Founding Medical Director at Oshi Health in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, emphasized the importance of strain specificity: "Not all probiotics are created equal. This study identified CCFM1320 as uniquely beneficial for sleep quality. This isn't a generic 'take-any-probiotic' situation—it's about strain-level specificity," Bass told Newsweek. "That's where a lot of public messaging needs to evolve. Just like different medications target different conditions, different strains do different things. And this one appears to enhance melatonin synthesis via SAM methylation—a novel pathway." Probiotic Supplements vs. Fermented Foods Stock image of an assortment of fresh vegetables and meats. Stock image of an assortment of fresh vegetables and meats. esilzengin/iStock / Getty Images Plus While fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and kefir are beneficial for general gut health, Bass explained that they may not provide targeted probiotic strains at therapeutic levels. "If someone wants to improve things like sleep quality or reduce stress hormones like cortisol, a strong, well-researched supplement—especially one with proven strains like CCFM1320—is usually more effective," he said. "That said, eating fermented foods is still a great daily habit and can complement targeted probiotic supplements." Jason Eastty, owner of Healthspan Longevity in Westborough, Massachusetts, and a nutrition specialist, added that overall good nutrition can combat poor sleep. "Having a nutrient deficiency—like low iron, magnesium, or vitamin D—can throw off your gut microbial balance, leading to poor sleep. Clinical trials have shown that correcting these deficiencies helps microbial diversity and improves sleep efficiency," Eastty said. He also emphasized that a whole-foods diet rich in fiber—from fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains—is essential to feeding the "good" bacteria in your gut.

Newsweek

19 hours ago

• Newsweek

Exclusive: We Thought Having a Baby Was 'Impossible.' Then Doctors Used AI

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The parents of the world's first baby born thanks to AI exclusively told Newsweek how a new IVF procedure powered entirely by artificial intelligence made the "impossible" a reality. The couple's hopes of starting a family were crushed when Edna, 42, and Tony, 45, were diagnosed with infertility issues, including Edna's ovarian insufficiency. But in 2023, they were introduced to a prototype study led by Conceivable Life Sciences through Hope IVF—a private clinic in Mexico City. From left to right: Luis, Dr Luis Miguel Campos (the patients' clinician), parents Edna and Tony. From left to right: Luis, Dr Luis Miguel Campos (the patients' clinician), parents Edna and Tony. Conceivable The precision of AI This study proved it was possible to control robotics within the IVF lab to perform ICSI, otherwise known as Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, remotely to create an embryo. This means embryos created through the robotic ICSI step receive consistent treatment with high precision and a more controlled approach to combining the egg and sperm, compared to current manual methods. The surgeon still oversees the robot and the processes, but with much improved outcomes. Edna and Tony—who are using their middle names for privacy—spoke exclusively to Newsweek about how they became the first family shaped by AI. "We represent expectations and hope for all those couples who are unable to reach their goal to become parents," they said through Spanish translation. "Once we heard the baby's heartbeat, we felt like we reached something that seemed previously impossible." A scalable model for fertility treatment The prototype study involved 41 patients and to date, has resulted in 21 pregnancies and 18 live births. Its system sees AI-powered robots help human doctors in a first step towards automating IVF treatments. The remote ICSI procedure used allows for a much gentler approach to embryo creation, helping improve quality outcomes at a microscopic level. Baby Luis (his real name) was born in Morelia in November 2024. Now seven-months-old, he has become the first baby to be conceived thanks to AI. Inside the AI system Chief medical officer at Conceivable Life Sciences, Dr. Alejandro Chavez-Badiola and one of the principal investigators on the paper, shared two scenarios: "Am I the lucky patient who is going to be treated by the best embryologist in the world at 8 a.m. after a cup of coffee and with a smile on their face, fully focused," he told Newsweek. "Or am I going to be the unlucky patient who is going to be treated by the best embryologist in the world at 1 p.m. when they're about to inject their 17th egg, thinking about lunch and having just received a distressing phone call from their partner." With this new system, the entire procedure uses mathematical algorithms and robotics to carry out the fertilization process step-by-step, with future precision likely to be beyond human capability. "Automation is not only allowing us to standardize these issues with the precision of robots, but to scale this [and] to make sure that every patient anywhere in the world, at any given time, can be treated by the best embryologists," Dr. Chavez-Badiola said. Remote ICSI photography. Remote ICSI photography. Conceivable Tony told Newsweek that the couple didn't have concerns about using the technology to finally become parents. "Although it can be directed to other purposes like weapons or other negative aspects, I feel like it should be applied on a daily basis, because well done, its purpose will be at the service of mankind," he said. While there will always be a clinical team overseeing the automated lab, remote control enables global teams to manage automated labs beyond regular hours, allowing for 18–20-hour workdays. Additionally, as the system can be operated remotely, a specialist in one country can carry out fertilization procedures for patients in another. Cost and duration were also differing factors from traditional methods, but the couple put their trust in the team at Conceivable. "By being more optimal and efficient, I feel like it will reduce the amount of attempts and the necessity of medications," Edna told Newsweek. Edna said that the process was fraught with emotion, given the negative outcomes of their previous IVF rounds. Edna was working in another city when she took the pregnancy test. "When I told Tony the news I was pregnant, it was a delightful surprise for him," she told Newsweek. "We were very happy." Luis, the first baby born from remote ICSI. Luis, the first baby born from remote ICSI. Conceivable The success rate of 51 percent aligns with industry standards, according to the Vienna Consensus. However, in their trials, the researchers also found that embryos created using this AI system had an as good—if not better—development potential than those made by humans alone, resulting in high-quality blastocysts—the stage at which embryos are typically relocated from an embryo transfer catheter to the uterus. Edna and Tony's clinician Dr. Luis Miguel Campos told Newsweek that once he had explained the process of ICSI to them, they saw it as an opportunity. "I joined this program to help two beautiful humans achieve their when they heard they were pregnant, I cried like never before," he said. As for next steps at Conceivable, Dr. Campos said consistency in outcomes is a top priority, eventually leading to an improvement in access for any patient around the world. "By [producing] consistency in results, the control process will imply reducing costs and be more efficient," he said. Ethics and AI Dr. Alexander Kotlyar, a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist at Genesis Fertility, told Newsweek emerging AI tools in fertility can enhance core ethical principles, provided they are carefully assessed and properly trained. "The ethical debate around AI reminds me of the long-standing tug-of-war behind genetic testing of embryos," he said. "In both cases, there is concern about how the use of new technology, like DNA testing techniques, can truly benefit patient outcomes, [for example], getting pregnant and having a live birth." Dr. Kotlyar explained the use of AI in the fertility field has grown significantly since the first "test tube" baby was born over forty years ago. This development can be partly attributed to the fact that the processes behind AI algorithms are often not transparent, which raises questions about their outcomes and reliability. "This concern is even more profound with AI since decision-making is, at least partly, given to a machine," he told Newsweek. "However, I would reassure patients and the public that in both cases, the technology is always tested against the principles of core medical ethics and if we cannot stay true to those principles, then we do not use the technology." Hope for future parents For Edna and Tony, being the first successful participants of the prototype clinical trial is a dream come true. "We were fortunate to be selected over other candidates for this first treatment, and we feel blessed," they told Newsweek. "We encourage all those couples who are on the journey to becoming parents to not abandon their dreams and hopes." The couple received strong support from both sides of their families. "Some of them felt a little concerned but in the end, everyone was really happy for our outcome," Tony said. When he's old enough, both Edna and Tony will happily tell Luis that he was conceived using AI. "There's a lot of ignorance and certain concerns about technology, but we will explain gladly to our son." ‌Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about IVF? Let us know via health@ Reference Mendizabal-Ruiz, G., Chavez-Badiola, A., Hernández-Morales, E., Valencia-Murillo, R., Ocegueda-Hernández, V., Costa-Borges, N., Mestres, E., Acacio, M., Matia-Algué, Q., Farías, A. F.-S., Carreon, D. S. M., Barragan, C., Silvestri, G., Martinez-Alvarado, A., Olmedo, L. M. C., Aguilar, A. V., Sánchez-González, D. J., Murray, A., Alikani, M., & Cohen, J. (2025). A digitally controlled, remotely operated ICSI system: Case report of the first live birth. Reproductive BioMedicine Online, 50(5).