Meet your public relations team: People with dark traits may help you manage your image

Abstract

Although previous research suggests that people with high levels of Dark Triad (DT) traits (grandiose narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy) are typically responsible for a disproportionate amount of harm, we propose that such individuals are more likely to help others self-present desired images (i.e., engage in beneficial-impression-management; BIM). In Study 1, participants completed indices of the DT and vulnerable narcissism, and they self-reported their likelihood of using various BIM tactics. DT traits and vulnerable narcissism related to enhanced anticipated use of BIM tactics for both friends and enemies. In Study 2, participants had the opportunity to exaggerate a friend's qualifications on a mock job application under conditions of either high or low self-gain. Each dark trait related to exaggerated ratings of the friend's qualifications, and these effects were particularly pronounced under high self-gain. Findings provided insight on how DT traits and vulnerable narcissism relate to a form of social benevolence but also highlight that such benevolence seems, in part, selfish.