Does Inequality Shape Human Character? Cross-Cultural Associations between Character Strengths and the Gini Index in 68 Countries

Nicole Casali, Silvia Filippi and Tommaso Feraco ()
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Nicole Casali: Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law
Silvia Filippi: University of Padua
Tommaso Feraco: University of Padova

Journal of Happiness Studies, 2024, vol. 25, issue 4, No 7, 17 pages

Abstract: Abstract Environmental factors are crucial in shaping individual characteristics. One key contextual factor is economic inequality, which is increasing in most OECD countries and negatively impacting individuals and societies, including personality traits. To date, no studies examined the relationship between economic inequality and positive personality traits such as character strengths. In a large cross-cultural study (N = 980,807, 68 countries) we investigated the relationship between country-level economic inequality and the level of the 24 character strengths. Across countries, we found consistent, robust evidence that economic inequality is positively linked to 22 character strengths, even after controlling for the Human Development Index, population density, urbanization, and climate of each country. On average, inequality explained 34% of the between-country variance in character strengths. Different alternative explanations for such unexpected effects, including increased competitiveness or resilience in the face of adversity, are discussed. Our research provides novel insights into the importance of environmental factors in shaping human character.

Keywords: Personality; Economic inequality; Cross-cultural study; Virtues; Geographical psychology; Socioecological psychology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1007/s10902-024-00751-w

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