On being “dark” and promiscuous: The Dark Triad traits, mate value, disgust, and sociosexuality

Abstract

There is considerable evidence suggesting the Dark Triad traits (i.e., psychopathy, narcissism, & Machiavellianism) are associated with greater promiscuity, but the mechanisms liking them are poorly understood. In this study (N = 379) we replicated prior associations between the Dark Triad traits and sociosexuality and considered the potential mechanisms of mate value and (limited) sexual disgust in meditation and moderated-mediation models. The Dark Triad traits were correlated with short-term mating, but only narcissism was associated with more mate value and only psychopathy was associated with limited sexual disgust. Mate value moderated the relationship between psychopathy, sexual disgust, and short-term mating. Sexual disgust acted as a mediator between psychopathy and short-term mating. As such, people high in psychopathy who have high mate value are more promiscuous because they are less disgusted.