Spitefulness and deficits in the social–perceptual and social–cognitive components of Theory of Mind

Abstract

The relationship between spitefulness and Theory of Mind (ToM; the ability to represent and reason about the mental states of others) has been neglected in studies of personality. However, we expected that deficits in ToM would be more likely to occur in individuals with higher levels of spitefulness compared to those with lower levels of spitefulness given their tendency to behave aggressively and their lack of concern for the well-being of others. To examine the associations between spitefulness and ToM, we conducted two studies. In Study 1, we examined the connection between spitefulness and a single indicator of ToM in a sample of 450 community members. In Study 2, we examined the link between spitefulness and multiple indicators of ToM in a sample of 696 undergraduates. Across these two studies, spitefulness was found to be negatively associated with both social–perceptual and social–cognitive components of ToM such that individuals with spiteful tendencies exhibited greater difficulties understanding the mental states of other people.