I ran across this quote in Discover Magazine and had the Perspective Research Department look into it.
"Distinct psychological mix associated with frontier populations is consistent with the theory that harsh conditions attracted certain personalities."
When historian Frederick Jackson Turner presented his famous thesis on the US frontier in 1893, he described the “coarseness and strength combined with acuteness and acquisitiveness” it had forged in the American character.
Now, well into the 21st century, and researchers led by the University of Cambridge have detected remnants of the pioneer personality in US populations
The harsh and remote environment of frontier regions historically attracted nonconformist settlers strongly motivated by a sense of freedom,” said researcher Friedrich Götz, from Cambridge’s Department of Psychology.
“Such rugged terrain likely favoured those who closely guarded their resources and distrusted strangers, as well as those who engaged in risky explorations to secure food and territory.”
“These traits may have distilled over time into an individualism characterised by toughness and self-reliance that lies at the heart of the American frontier ethos” said Götz, lead author of the study.
“When we look at personality across the whole United States, we find that some residents are more likely to have psychological characteristics indicative of this frontier mentality.”
The research uses the “Big Five” personality model, standard in social psychology, with simple online tests providing high-to-low scores for five fundamental personality traits of millions of Americans which makes them distinct from other nationalities! (In case you haven't figured it out yet... we're mainly talking about Trump's base of supporters!)
The mix of characteristics uncovered by study’s authors consists of low levels of “agreeableness”, suggesting affected residents are less trusting and forgiving – traits that benefit “territorial, self-focused survival strategies."
Low levels of “extraversion” reflect the introverted self-reliance required to thrive and a low level of “conscientiousness” lends itself to rebelliousness and indifference to rules, say researchers.
“Neuroticism” is also lower, suggesting an assertiveness suited to their lifestyle.
“Openness is a strong predictor of residential mobility,” said Götz. “A willingness to move your life in pursuit of goals such as economic affluence and personal freedom drove many original North American frontier settlers.”
“Taken together, this psychological fingerprint for certain groups may be an echo of the personality types that sought new lives in unknown territories.”
Unfortunately it also differentiated them from, and set them apart, from the population norms that comprise modern day society!
Taken as a whole this gives us a group that is more concerned with personal emotional considerations than societal guidelines!
The way I see it anyway!
