Rentfrow et al. (2008) present the processes or pathways by which geography influences personality. Personality affects behavior and behavioral norms. Group behaviors in turn impact geographic representation. Social influences and related external factors affect behavioral traits. Institutions within a specific state or region affect behavior. Furthermore, social norms have a strong impact on the development of individual and group-level traits.

The research has several limitations that impact is internal and external validity. For example, the sample was taken from a group of Internet users who responded to an online solicitation for participation in the research. This is a spurious form of sample gathering, and may not be as representative of the population as the researchers would like. One of the most glaring problems with the research is the assumption that state-level characteristics are salient. The authors do...

(2008) study remains a valuable starting point for a study of geography of personality. Personality as the dependent variable is measured with FFM, and the authors show how personality characteristics are distributed and what specific correlates exist. These variables can in turn guide future research or inform public policy decisions. The research underscores the importance of taking macro-level issues into account when addressing individual psychology, social psychology and public health.
Reference

Rentfrow, P.J., Gosling, S.D., & Potter, J. (2008). A theory of the emergence, persistence, and expression of geographic variation in psychological characteristics. Perspectives on…