Is There a Connection Between Bitcoin Investors and Psychopathy? Fresh Study Points to Dark Personality Features
A recent investigation jointly carried out by the University of Toronto and the University of Miami has brought to the forefront the psychological makeup of individuals involved in cryptocurrency transactions. The study, made public on July 3, encompassed a survey of 2001 American adults in 2022, seeking to uncover the “political, psychological, and social factors linked to cryptocurrency ownership.”
As outlined in the research, around 30% of the respondents held some type of cryptocurrency, and this cohort demonstrated a more pronounced inclination towards “belief in conspiracy theories.” Moreover, they exhibited characteristics from the dark tetrad including narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism.
Specialists highlight that the characteristics significantly linked to cryptocurrency possession involve being male, turning to alternative social media for information, having a disputatious nature, and showing reluctance towards authoritarianism. The outcomes of this study were disseminated online by Steve Hanke, an Economics Professor at Johns Hopkins and a vocal critic of Bitcoin, who pointed out that holders of cryptocurrencies displayed reduced levels of critical thinking and a higher likelihood of psychopathic tendencies.
These discoveries are in line with a related inquiry conducted by researchers at Queensland University of Technology in 2022, which found a connection between psychopathy, sadism, and the worry of missing out on cryptocurrency opportunities.
While the analysis spotlighted adverse personality attributes associated with crypto investors, it also brought to light commendable traits. Participants owning cryptocurrencies were discovered to have higher educational levels, increased earnings, and were more likely to be religious when compared to those who had not ventured into cryptocurrency ownership.
In summary, the study offers valuable perspectives into the mental profiles of individuals investing in cryptocurrencies, illustrating a distinctive amalgamation of traits within this demographic. The results indicate that although crypto owners may showcase particular negative characteristics, they also exhibit positive attributes that set them apart from the general populace.
