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Human Personality Is Associated with Geographical Environment in Mainland China

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  • Liang Xu

    (Department of Psychology, College of Education, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
    Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Yanyang Luo

    (Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Xin Wen

    (Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Zaoyi Sun

    (Department of Psychology, College of Education, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China)

  • Chiju Chao

    (Department of Information Art and Design, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Tianshu Xia

    (Financial Big Data Research Institute, Sunyard Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou 310053, China)

  • Liuchang Xu

    (Financial Big Data Research Institute, Sunyard Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou 310053, China
    College of Mathematics and Computer Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
    College of Computer Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310063, China)

Abstract

Recent psychological research shown that the places where we live are linked to our personality traits. Geographical aggregation of personalities has been observed in many individualistic nations; notably, the mountainousness is an essential component in understanding regional variances in personality. Could mountainousness therefore also explain the clustering of personality-types in collectivist countries like China? Using a nationwide survey (29,838 participants) in Mainland China, we investigated the relationship between the Big Five personality traits and mountainousness indicators at the provincial level. Multilevel modelling showed significant negative associations between the elevation coefficient of variation ( Elevation CV ) and the Big Five personality traits, whereas mean elevation ( Elevation Mean ) and the standard deviation in elevation ( Elevation STD ) were positively associated with human personalities. Subsequent machine learning analyses showed that, for example, Elevation Mean outperformed other mountainousness indicators regarding correlations with neuroticism, while Elevation CV performed best relative to openness models. Our results mirror some previous findings, such as the positive association between openness and Elevation STD , while also revealing cultural differences, such as the social desirability of people living in China’s mountainous areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Liang Xu & Yanyang Luo & Xin Wen & Zaoyi Sun & Chiju Chao & Tianshu Xia & Liuchang Xu, 2022. "Human Personality Is Associated with Geographical Environment in Mainland China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-13, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:17:p:10819-:d:902065
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    References listed on IDEAS

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