The influence of instrumentality in trusting Dark Triad members

Abstract

This study examined whether the association between the Dark Triad and a Fast Life History strategy illuminates how Dark Triad members with poor reputations gain trust from others. Undergraduate participants (N = 121) viewed vignettes of high or low Dark Triad (dark/light) actors proposing Fast Life History or Slow Life History (fast/slow) strategies to obtain desirable outcomes. They rated how successful the actor would be (perceived instrumentality) and how inclined they were to trust the actor. Participants were significantly less trusting of dark actors, an effect that is compounded when the actors proposed to enact fast strategies. Interestingly, dark actors proposing slow strategies were trusted significantly more than light actors proposing fast strategies. Across vignettes, instrumentality was significantly positively related to trust. An exploratory analysis found that psychopathy and Machiavellianism were associated with trusting Dark Triad actors, and that psychopathy was associated with perceiving Fast Life strategies as effective. Our results provide evidence for a complex relationship between the Dark Triad and Life History, the importance of perceived instrumentality in trusting behaviours, and the unique characteristics of narcissism within the Dark Triad.