A team of researchers used five years of longitudinal data to look at people’s moving habits and their personalities.
Key findings
- The research found that those who score higher on ‘conscientiousness’ and ‘neuroticism’ are more likely to expect to move in the next year.
- Those who score highly on ‘extroversion’ made at least one move during the five‐year period.
- The trait ‘Openness’ was positively associated with making a long‐distance move, 50km or more.
The study also found being a private renter and having university qualifications are positively associated with an expectation of moving. Living in a rural area decreases the chances of moving short distances.
The research team said, “These findings are significant for two reasons. First, they show that personality should be more central in migration studies and that geography can usefully seek disciplinary insights from social psychology. Second, they help us take a step towards a better understanding of the relationships between geography, personality and spatial mobility.”
Social mobilityTransport and environment
