This paper explores the role that psychological variables might have in analysing farmer decision making. The results presented relate to a survey of 256 arable and hill farmers in SE Scotland. The survey investigated the objectives and stress levels of those surveyed. The major objectives of those surveyed were primarily concerned with improving the quality of land, the environment, and their way of life. Levels of stress were found to be consistent with the total UK population with 10% showing high stress levels. The paper also explores the levels of innovativeness and intelligence, and relates these to farm business and other psychological variables. Innovative farmers were found to be lower on neuroticism and less stressed, and more extraverted. They were also found to be risk minimisers, had larger farms, more experience and were more likely to possess a computer. Farmers with high intelligence scores were generally more conscientious and open to new ideas, kept records, set targets, used new technology and managed for maximum profit.