S.D. ranks high in personality study
Posted: Sunday, September 14, 2008
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- South Dakotans are among the nation's most extraverted and agreeable people in the country, according to a personality map designed by a British university.
Findings by the University of Cambridge ranked South Dakota No. 7 in the nation in extraversion, No. 17 in conscientiousness, and No. 23 in agreeableness.
It also found that South Dakotans aren't terribly open and are far from neurotic, ranking No. 39 and 49, respectively, in those categories.
Overall, the state's rankings prompted the university to declare South Dakota "more sociable" than most states.
"South Dakotans exhibited a high level of 'extraversion,' a personality trait traditionally associated with people who are outgoing, energetic and enthusiastic," said a University of Cambridge press release.
Over six years, 619,397 people from across the U.S. took part in an online test in which they were asked to read 44 short statements, such as "I see myself as someone who is outgoing" and "I see myself as someone who is very religious." The respondents had to mark their level of agreement with each statement on a scale of one to five.
The results of the survey allowed researchers to compute estimates of each of the personality dimensions for every state and identify which personality traits were strongest in which states.
Randy Sprung, an associate professor of behavioral science at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, agreed with the results.
Students who have come from California, New Mexico and Florida have told Sprung that South Dakotans are more trustworthy. For example, he said some have noted that they can leave their car running while they run into a store and return to find the car still there.
"They (students) tend to be a little more reserved because they are not used to trusting," he said.
"By the time they are here for a while, they start realizing how much more open, trusting and friendly people are in South Dakota. If someone gives you their word, they usually follow through on it," he said.
Findings by the University of Cambridge ranked South Dakota No. 7 in the nation in extraversion, No. 17 in conscientiousness, and No. 23 in agreeableness.
It also found that South Dakotans aren't terribly open and are far from neurotic, ranking No. 39 and 49, respectively, in those categories.
Overall, the state's rankings prompted the university to declare South Dakota "more sociable" than most states.
"South Dakotans exhibited a high level of 'extraversion,' a personality trait traditionally associated with people who are outgoing, energetic and enthusiastic," said a University of Cambridge press release.
Over six years, 619,397 people from across the U.S. took part in an online test in which they were asked to read 44 short statements, such as "I see myself as someone who is outgoing" and "I see myself as someone who is very religious." The respondents had to mark their level of agreement with each statement on a scale of one to five.
The results of the survey allowed researchers to compute estimates of each of the personality dimensions for every state and identify which personality traits were strongest in which states.
Randy Sprung, an associate professor of behavioral science at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, agreed with the results.
Students who have come from California, New Mexico and Florida have told Sprung that South Dakotans are more trustworthy. For example, he said some have noted that they can leave their car running while they run into a store and return to find the car still there.
"They (students) tend to be a little more reserved because they are not used to trusting," he said.
"By the time they are here for a while, they start realizing how much more open, trusting and friendly people are in South Dakota. If someone gives you their word, they usually follow through on it," he said.
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 0 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
