A sweeping new global study shows that people living in societies plagued by corruption, inequality, poverty, and violence are significantly more likely to develop what psychologists term “dark” personality traits, including psychopathy, narcissism, and machiavellianism—a finding with profound implications for social policy and Thai society. Researchers from the University of Copenhagen, analyzing data from nearly 2 million individuals across 183 countries, report that social adversity is a strong predictor of psychological tendencies towards selfishness, aggression, and exploitation, raising key questions about how governance and environment shape the character of entire populations (Phys.org, news.ku.dk).
This research, published in the prestigious journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, draws a robust statistical connection between the prevalence of “The Dark Factor of Personality”—the shared core of dark traits such as psychopathy, sadism, and narcissism—and objective measures of societal adversity. Countries with high rates of corruption and social inequality, such as Indonesia and Mexico, as well as certain U.S. states like Louisiana and Nevada, were found to have considerably higher levels of dark personality characteristics among their citizens compared to more egalitarian societies like Denmark, New Zealand, or U.S. states such as Utah and Vermont.
For Thai readers, this study is especially timely as Thailand continues to grapple with issues related to corruption, economic differences between urban and rural regions, and periodic civil unrest. Although Thailand is often celebrated for its “jai dee” (kindness) culture and the ideal of “namjai” (generosity), hidden currents of competitiveness and self-preservation arise when trust in institutions declines or when social mobility appears limited. The researchers suggest that dark traits may function as adaptive “survival strategies” in environments where social rules are easily broken, and individuals cannot depend on fair treatment. As one of the study’s lead authors, a professor at the University of Copenhagen, told the press: “In societies where rules are broken without consequences and where the conditions for many citizens are bad, individuals perceive and learn that one should actually think of oneself first.”
This insight challenges the often-held belief that antisocial traits are merely the result of genetics or upbringing within the family. Instead, it lends strong support to the idea that the broader social environment plays a crucial role in shaping traits that ultimately affect not only individuals, but the whole community. The authors emphasize that personality development is not merely a matter of “nature,” but very strongly influenced by “nurture,” particularly at the societal scale. Even modest increases in the population prevalence of dark traits can correlate with greater societal costs, including increased aggression, cheating, and exploitation.
These findings are backed by previous research linking urban living and weak social cohesion to higher tendencies toward the Dark Triad—psychopathy, narcissism, and machiavellianism (Daily Mail). Urbanization, already an accelerating trend in Thailand, frequently brings both opportunity and the pitfalls of social anonymity, where small-scale acts of dishonesty or self-serving behavior may proliferate unnoticed. Moreover, studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic indicated that individuals displaying higher levels of dark personality traits were more likely to refuse social obligations such as mask-wearing (Newsweek). Such behavior aligns with local observations that disregard for communal well-being tends to become more pronounced when citizens grow cynical about fair treatment or equal enforcement of laws.
Importantly, the research team used longitudinal data, comparing present-day personality assessments with social and political conditions from approximately two decades prior. This approach reveals that adverse environments have a long-term, formative effect on how future generations perceive social interaction: where children and young adults observe persistent inequality, see rules flouted with impunity, and experience repeated injustice, the next logical response may be to adopt behaviors seen as self-protective—even if it means exploiting others. As the study’s lead professor points out, “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. 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.”
The implications for Thailand are clear. Ongoing campaigns to increase transparency, reduce corruption, and narrow socioeconomic gaps can’t simply be seen as economic or legal reforms; they are fundamental cultural interventions that may help steer the national personality makeup toward greater cooperation and altruism. While personality change on a large scale is neither easy nor immediate, even moderate improvements to governance and public trust could yield benefits that ripple through generations—reducing tendencies toward selfishness, dishonesty, and aggression at the population level.
Thailand’s unique cultural traditions hold both vulnerability and resilience in this regard. The enduring influence of Buddhist precepts—such as “metta” (loving-kindness) and “karuna” (compassion)—offer a moral counterweight to dark tendencies, while the rich network of mutual aid at the village and family level fosters community cohesion. However, as rural-urban migration continues and digital anonymity grows, Thai society must remain vigilant against the risks of “bplok-bplae” (deceitful or manipulative behavior), which can undermine collective aspirations for “khwam-samai” (social harmony).
Historically, Thai social surveys have noted public anxiety regarding corruption and fairness in public life, particularly in education, healthcare, and politics. Trust in social institutions acts not only as a foundation for legal stability, but as a psychological buffer against the emergence of aversive behavior. In fact, an analysis of Thailand’s experience with participatory anti-corruption campaigns provides anecdotal support for the study’s conclusion: regions that demonstrate better governance and community trust tend to experience fewer issues with exploitation and interpersonal conflict.
Globally, the study’s data showed that the connection between adverse social conditions and dark personality traits exists in a moderate but statistically robust way across cultures, races, and geographies. This means that no society is immune to the psychological consequences of corruption and inequality—rich or poor, East or West, the societal environment powerfully shapes the future orientation of its citizens. Yet, while high levels of the “Dark Factor” pose a challenge, the research also holds a message of hope: positive reforms can have lasting benefits not only for quality of life, but for the collective psychological health of the nation.
Looking ahead, the rise of artificial intelligence, rapid urbanization, and new forms of political polarization present both risks and opportunities for societies like Thailand. On one hand, weakened face-to-face accountability could provide cover for those inclined toward callous or exploitative behavior; on the other, innovative transparency and civic engagement projects may help build the moral infrastructure needed for a resilient “soft power” society.
For Thai policymakers, educators, and social leaders, the practical takeaway is both urgent and actionable. Investing in fair systems of justice, universal education, accessible healthcare, and anti-corruption enforcement will not only address immediate social grievances, but also help shape a wiser, more compassionate, and more cooperative Thai citizenry for generations to come. The lesson is clear: the health of a nation’s heart is inseparable from its laws, equality, and public trust.
Thai readers can benefit from this research by getting involved in local anti-corruption initiatives, supporting organizations promoting fair education and public health, and practicing the values of cooperation and mutual respect in everyday life. Parents, teachers, and community leaders can model these positive traits, building a society where self-preservation need not come at the expense of compassion. As the study authors suggest, even small progress toward reducing social adversity can have an outsize impact on personality at every level of Thai society.
References:
- "‘Dark’ personality traits thrive in societies with corruption and inequality, global study shows", Phys.org
- "‘Dark’ personality thrives in societies with corruption and inequality", University of Copenhagen News
- “Do you prefer city living? You might be a PSYCHOPATH”, Daily Mail
- “Narcissists and Psychopaths Are More Likely to Refuse to Wear Masks”, Newsweek