Plain English with Derek Thompson The Modern World Is Changing America’s Personality For the Worse
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Aug 13, 2025 John Burn-Murdoch, a data journalist at the Financial Times, delves into the alarming shifts in American personalities over the last decade. He reveals a decline in extroversion and conscientiousness among young adults, alongside a rise in neuroticism. Their conversation explores how technology and societal changes contribute to these trends, making people more absorbed in their own internal struggles rather than connecting with others. They also touch on the impact of personal fitness routines versus team sports on societal bonds and individual well-being.
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Young Adults' Personality Shift
- Longitudinal tests show Americans, especially young adults, have become less extroverted and agreeable while neuroticism has risen.
- Conscientiousness among people in their 20s and 30s has fallen sharply over the last decade.
What Conscientiousness Predicts
- Conscientiousness measures organization, reliability, follow-through, and goal pursuit rather than moral conscience.
- Low conscientiousness predicts poorer real-world outcomes like lower income and weaker relationships.
Check Surveys Against Real Outcomes
- Validate personality trends using external outcomes like income to reduce measurement doubts.
- Use related survey variables to check that personality scores still predict real-world differences over time.