Study Ranks the States With the Most Psychopaths. Do You Live in the Top 10?

Warning: This information may not have a positive effect on your Zillow estimate.

By Dan Bova Jun 22, 2018
Bettmann | Getty Images

Your daily work commute may convince you that you are surrounded by psychopaths, and according to a research paper written by Ryan Murphy, a research assistant professor at Southern Methodist University, you just might be! It all depends on where you live.

Related: How to Avoid Hiring a Psychopath

Murphy’s study, Psychopathy by U.S. State, cross-examined levels of what he defines as Big Five personality traits: extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism and openness to experience in each state. From this data, he was able to rank each of the 48 contiguous states, as well as the District of Columbia, by its level of psychopathy. (You’ll never guess who scores no. 1!) But don’t get too excited if your home is located at the bottom of the psycho pile, Murphy says his numbers are just estimates.

1. Washington, D.C.

2. Connecticut

3. California

4. New Jersey

5. New York and Wyoming (Tie)

7. Maine

8. Wisconsin

9. Nevada

10. Illinois

Related: 10 Crazy Effects Music Has on Your Brain

Your daily work commute may convince you that you are surrounded by psychopaths, and according to a research paper written by Ryan Murphy, a research assistant professor at Southern Methodist University, you just might be! It all depends on where you live.

Related: How to Avoid Hiring a Psychopath

Murphy’s study, Psychopathy by U.S. State, cross-examined levels of what he defines as Big Five personality traits: extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism and openness to experience in each state. From this data, he was able to rank each of the 48 contiguous states, as well as the District of Columbia, by its level of psychopathy. (You’ll never guess who scores no. 1!) But don’t get too excited if your home is located at the bottom of the psycho pile, Murphy says his numbers are just estimates.

1. Washington, D.C.

2. Connecticut

3. California

4. New Jersey

5. New York and Wyoming (Tie)

7. Maine

8. Wisconsin

9. Nevada

10. Illinois

Related: 10 Crazy Effects Music Has on Your Brain

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Dan Bova

VP of Special Projects at Entrepreneur.com
Entrepreneur Staff
Dan Bova is the VP of Special Projects at Entrepreneur.com and host of the How Success Happens podcast. He previously worked at Jimmy Kimmel Live, Maxim, and Spy magazine. His latest books for kids include This Day in History, Car and Driver's Trivia Zone, Road & Track Crew's Big & Fast Cars, The Big Little...

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