Personality plays a role in whether you believe in climate change, Dalhousie study finds

Personality plays a crucial role in shaping people’s beliefs about climate change, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at Dalhousie University in Halifax. The study found that individuals who are more skeptical about climate change tend to exhibit traits of narcissism, machiavellianism, and psychopathy. These traits are associated with self-centeredness, manipulation, callousness, and social aversion.

On the other hand, individuals who are less skeptical about climate change are more likely to possess pro-social personality traits such as openness, agreeableness, honesty, humility, and emotionality. The lead author of the study, Scott Pruysers, emphasized the importance of understanding the personality roots of climate skepticism in order to develop more effective strategies to encourage environmentally conscious behavior.

The study analyzed data from a survey of 1,725 Canadians conducted in 2020. Participants were asked to rate their agreement with various statements related to climate change. The researchers used robust measures to assess personality traits, including more than 160 descriptors, in order to provide a comprehensive analysis.

While demographic and political factors do influence climate skepticism, the study found that personality traits play a significant role. For instance, individuals who self-identify as more right-wing and men are more likely to be skeptical about climate change. Conversely, those with higher education levels, income, and political knowledge are less skeptical.

Pruysers suggested that different strategies may be needed to convince skeptics to adopt planet-friendly practices. For example, individuals who score higher in narcissism may be more likely to engage in environmentally friendly behaviors if they perceive social admiration for doing so.

It is important to note that the study does not label climate skeptics as narcissists or psychopaths. Rather, personality traits are measured on a spectrum, and most individuals exhibit elements of these traits to varying degrees.

While the study sheds light on the relationship between personality and climate skepticism, applying these findings in practical interventions may be challenging. Changing people’s personalities is not feasible, and predicting individuals’ climate change views solely based on their personality traits is difficult.

However, advancements in artificial intelligence may offer opportunities to develop micro-targeted messages based on individuals’ personalities, leveraging the media they consume and their social media interactions. This approach could potentially help tailor communication strategies to effectively engage individuals with varying personality traits in discussions about climate change.

In conclusion, understanding the role of personality in shaping beliefs about climate change is essential for developing tailored interventions to address climate skepticism. By acknowledging the diverse personality traits that influence individuals’ views on climate change, we can work towards promoting greater environmental awareness and action.