<p>The present research examined the geographical distributions of Big Five personality traits in Japan. We conducted secondary analysis with three large datasets (survey 1: N = 4,469, survey 2: N = 5,619, survey 3: N = 4,330). We confirmed the spatial clustering of personality traits and mapped the geographical distribution in Japan. Moreover, we revealed the prefecture-level inequality of each Big Five domain across the three datasets. The results indicated that the metropolitan area and Okinawa showed higher Extraversion than Chugoku districts. Eastern Kyushu and Okinawa showed higher Agreeableness than Hokuriku districts. Tohoku district showed lower Conscientiousness than other districts. Tohoku and Chugoku districts showed higher Neuroticism than Okinawa. Northern Kyushu districts showed higher Openness than other districts. The results generally supported the hypothesis, and we discussed the regional characteristics obtained in the present study.</p>

Introduction: Previous studies on metacognitive ability were explored using self-report questionnaires that are difficult to adequately measure and evaluate when the capacity for self-reference is undeveloped. This study aimed to validate the Congruency-based Metacognition Scale (CMS) to measure metacognition and the feeling of confidence abilities and to investigate the development of metacognition during adolescence. Methods: The CMS was administered to 633 child-parent pairs in Japan (child, mean age = 16.0 years, 46.0% female; parent, mean age = 48.3 years, 94.9% mother). The CMS metacognition score was assessed based on congruency scores between the self-report of the child from a third-person perspective (3PP) and the parent's report from the first-person perspective (1PP). The CMS self-judgment accuracy score was assessed by the congruency scores between the children's self-report from the 1PP and 3PP. For both measures, the more distant the 3PP on the self-report was from the 1PP on the parent's report and child self-report means low ability. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to examine construct validity and then a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used. Criterion validity was examined by calculating Pearson's correlation coefficients with scores on the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS) and Autism Quotient (AQ). We used intraclass correlation and Cronbach's alpha to examine the test-retest and internal consistency reliability. Results: Based on the results of the EFA and CFA, we adopted one factor structure with five items. The CMS metacognition and CMS self-judgment accuracy showed evidence criterion validity, exhibiting significant correlations with the BCIS self-reflectiveness (r = 0.16) and self-certainty scores (r = 0.17), respectively. Regarding to the AQ, only the CMS metacognition score had significant correlations with the social skills (r = 0.22) and total scale score (r = 0.20). The test-retest reliability showed adequate (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.70-0.81 and the Cronbach's alpha coefficient 0.63-0.59). Adolescents were found to have significantly lower metacognitive ability compared to young adults. Conclusion: CMS could be a valid and reliable measure to examine metacognitive abilities for adolescents.

<p>The purpose of this study was to examine associations between the Big Five personality traits and tolerance toward foreign residents in Japan, and to examine the moderating effect of the population ratio of foreign residents in a residential area on these associations. We conducted a multiple regression analysis on a dataset including 18,656 Japanese residents (9,097 females; M_age = 47.80). The results of the analysis showed that tolerance was positively associated with Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Openness and negatively associated with Conscientiousness and Neuroticism. There was a significant interaction between Conscientiousness and the population ratio of foreigners on tolerance toward foreigners. A simple slope analysis showed a stronger negative association between Conscientiousness and tolerance for the high population ratio of foreigners than for the low population ratio of foreigners. We discussed the associations between the Big Five personality traits and tolerance.</p>

<p>The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between the Big Five personality traits and a person's body mass index (BMI). We used three large datasets (survey 1, N = 3,063; survey 2, N = 4,242; survey 3, N = 17,471) including Japanese participants and examined the associations using correlation and multiple regression analyses. Consecutively, we conducted a meta-analysis including the results in the present study and a previous study. The results of these analyses show that Conscientiousness is consistently negatively associated with BMI. Extraversion is positively associated with BMI only for male participants. The pattern of relationships between the Big Five personality traits and BMI in Japan is similar to Western countries rather than to other East Asian countries. We discuss these associations in terms of eating habits and lifestyles.</p>

© 2020 Elsevier Ltd Geographical personality differences robustly predict diverse consequential outcomes. However, comparatively little is known about the factors that create such differences, in particular the role of the built environment. To bridge the gap, the present study used a socioecological approach to examine the relationship between walkability and personality. Walkability reflects the degree to which urban areas are easily walkable and accessible for pedestrians. As such it is considered a defining feature of people's living environments. We utilized a large sample from the Data Sharing for Psychology in Japan (DSPJ) project, which assessed the Big Five personality traits of 5141 Japanese residents. Walkability estimates were extracted from Walk Score, an established online platform, based on individuals' place of living. Building on prior research, we hypothesized that walkability would be positively linked to Agreeableness and Extraversion due to increased opportunities for social interactions and selective migration. Multiple regression analyses showed that walkability was positively related to Extraversion (B = 0.033; 95%CI [0.019, 0.047]; β = 0.066), but not to Agreeableness. This pattern persisted in the presence of a conservative set of individual and socioecological controls. Taken together, our research suggests that walkable urban environments may be conducive to a more animated and lively social climate which is reflected in heightened extraversion among residents of such areas. As such it advances psych-geographical theory and our understanding of the role of the built environment in the emergence of geographical personality differences.

<p>The present study examined the relationships between the tendency to consume energy drink and personality traits. The participants were 288 Japanese undergraduates （M_age=20.15; 207 females）. They completed the questionnaire including Big Five personality traits, sensation seeking, and tendency to consume energy drink. Logistic and Poisson regression analyses revealed that the consumption of energy drink was associated positively with Thrill & Adventure and Disinhibition dimensions of the sensation seeking, which is a part of Extraversion. The results imply the psychological characteristics of its consumers.</p>

<p>The present study examined the relationships of sunshine duration with extraversion and neuroticism. Previous studies suggested that individuals living in regions that receive little direct sunlight tend to experience depression and lack of sleep, which are associated with particular personality traits. Moreover, they are associated with increases in the amount of serotonin with longer daylight durations. We used a Japanese dataset including 18,922 adults (9,227 females; mean age: 47.74) and conducted a prefecture-level analysis. Results of multiple regression analysis indicated that neuroticism was negatively associated with sunshine duration while extraversion was not. The results showed that sunshine duration may explain the variance of regional differences in personality traits.</p>

<p>The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between littering behavior and Dark Triad personality traits (Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy). Forty-one college students (average age=19.83 years, SD=1.11; 9 males, 32 females) were assigned randomly into either a clean or a dirty laboratory condition, and participated in an experiment to assess their littering behavior. Results of Bayesian logistic regression analysis that predicted the littering index, indicated that cumulative probabilities that the odds ratio for narcissism and psychopathy exceed 1 in posterior distribution under dirty condition were 84% and 87%, respectively. The results of the present study showed that the Dark Triad personality traits may be related to littering behaviors, while previous studies focused on manipulations of condition.</p>