Sex drive among the Dark Tetrad

Abstract

Consisting of Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism, the Dark Tetrad of personality have previously been linked to diverse mating strategies. Here, we expand on previous research using two sexuality self-reports: (1) sex drive and (2) pornography use. In Study 1, 779 students completed an online questionnaire that included (a) the Short Dark Tetrad inventory as well as (b) criterion questions about sex drive and pornography use. Based on previous literature, we hypothesized that narcissism and sadism would be independently associated with a composite of the two sexuality items. Multiple regression analyses confirmed this prediction. Males scored higher on all tetrad variables as well as the sexuality variables. In Study 2, a sample of 400 students at a different university replicated this ‘twin peaks’ pattern – even after (a) a 5-month predictor-criterion delay and (b) a control for relationship status. These results speak to debates over the separability of the Dark Tetrad members, and indicate that, in contrast to global sociosexuality, reports of sex drive are highest in narcissistic and sadistic individuals.