Dark Side Of Personality Research Articles

Editorial

Shortly after the fantastic 2024 Olympics in Paris, we would like to invite you to take a longer peek at the newest issue of the Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, starting with “Dark Side of Personality and Extreme Sports. Case of skydivers” by P. Próchniak and A. Próchniak. And although skydiving is not exactly (yet?) among the Olympic Games, the exploration of personalities of sportspersons proves a compelling snippet in the quest into understanding why it is only some and not others that succeed in a particular discipline, and whether those features that shape them affect their everyday lives, too.

Dark Side of Personality and Extreme Sports. Case of skydivers

Aim of the studyThe study aimed to identify the personality traits of skydivers from the Dark Side of Personality model.Subject or material and methodsTo identify the Dark Side of Personality traits of 40 Polish skydivers (M age = 26.70, SD = 7.80) and 42 low-risk sport athletes (controls, M age = 25.50, SD = 6.60), several scales were used. These were the Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (TriPM), Impulsive Behavior Scale (UPPS-P), Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire (NARQ), and Mach-IV Questionnaire.ResultsThe skydivers group had a significantly higher mean of Admiration, Boldness, Positive impulsivity and Sensation seeking than the control group. In addition, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted for the scales of the Dark Side of Personality. It revealed four basic factors: Impulsivity, Social Insensitivity, Planning action, and Thrill Seeking.DiscussionAll four factors discriminate between the study groups but the coefficient of discrimination is high for the Impulsivity and Thrill Seeking factors and lower for the other two factors. It means that Impulsivity and Thrill Seeking are probably the most important factors in understanding extreme sports in the context of the Dark Triad of Personality. The search for new and powerful experiences, combined with a lack of control over one’s own behaviour are the main determinants of involvement in extreme sports.ConclusionsThe results obtained suggest that skydivers do not reveal pathological tendencies. Their participation in extreme sports may be an expression of normal personality and temperamental traits that do not interfere with everyday functioning.

They choose violence. Dark personality traits drive support for politically motivated violence in five democracies

The deep roots of support for politically driven violence remain under-investigated. In this article we propose what we believe is the first systematic multi-country examination of personality correlated support for political violence, with a particular focus on the dark side of personality (low honesty-humility, dark triad). Study 1 leverages survey data gathered in five countries – Argentina, Australia, Germany, Italy, and the USA (pooled N = 10,316) – whereas Study 2 focuses on the USA (N = 1845) but with a more nuanced measure of the dark traits. Both studies rely on a conservative design for the measure of support for political violence, based on vignettes depicting concrete violent acts perpetrated against members of the partisan out-group. Results across the two studies confirm the driving role of dark personality for support for political violence, in particular in Australia and the USA (Study 1), and especially psychopathy (Study 2). Data and materials are openly available for replication.

Shining light on the dark side of personality: Measurement properties and theoretical advances by Peter K.Jonason (Ed.). Göttingen, Germany: Hogrefe Publishing. 2023. 320 pages, $75 paperback

Shining light on the dark side of personality: Measurement properties and theoretical advances by Peter K.Jonason (Ed.). Göttingen, Germany: Hogrefe Publishing. 2023. 320 pages, $75 paperback

Correlates of climate change skepticism.

While much research has examined the correlates of climate change beliefs from an alarmist perspective, less work has systematically measured climate change skepticism. This study aims to create a comprehensive tool capturing climate skeptics' beliefs and test its association with individual difference variables. 502 European adults completed a 22-item questionnaire on climate change (CC) skepticism as well as measures of ambiguity tolerance, belief in a just world (BJW), dark-side personality traits, and self-esteem. Principal components analysis revealed a four dimension structure of CC. Political ideology was the most consistent and significant predictor across the climate change skepticism factors. Dark-side traits, also played a role. Future research should further validate this measure and explore how climate change information could be tailored to different audiences. Understanding the nuances and causes of climate skepticism can enable more effective communication to promote sustainability.

Stoicism

Abstract: This study examined stoicism as a coping style. Just over 500 people completed a new, short, multi-dimensional stoicism scale; a short measure of the Big Five (Bright-side personality); the PID-6BF which measures personality disorders along five dimensions (Dark-side personality), and various self-ratings. Analysis of the stoicism scale at both the domain and five facet levels showed that it was related to gender (males scored higher), education (graduates scored higher), trait Extraversion and Openness, as well as Detachment and Psychoticism. Regressions indicated that stoics were Closed-to-Experience, Introverted, and high on Detachment. There were many differences between the regression results onto the different factors. The adaptiveness of stoicism is discussed. Limitations are acknowledged.

Maladaptive (dark-side) and adaptive (bright-side) personality traits and defense styles

This study explores the relationship between bright- and dark-side personality traits and four major styles of defense mechanisms (DMs) as this relationship remains unexplored and important in understanding the DMs. In all, 435 adult working participants (241 men; 194 women; Mean age 46.06 yrs) mainly in middle management jobs, completed a 78-item, six-trait measure of bright-side personality (HPTI: High Potential Type Indicator), a 25-item five-trait measure of the dark-side personality (PID-5;BF: DSM-5—Brief Form) and 88-item, four-styles measure of defense mechanisms (Defense Style Questionnaire). The aim was to examine demographic (sex, age, education), ideological and personality trait correlates of the DMs. It was hypothesized that the dark-side traits, particularly Detachment would be most strongly related to the DMs. Thereafter, a hierarchical linear regression was performed with each DM factor as criterion and predictors being demography, ideology, self-esteem as well as bright- and dark-side personality traits. Detachment was associated with all DMs, particularly Maladaptive (r = 0.68) and Image Distorting Style (r = 0.38) while Conscientiousness was associated with none. One implication concerns the assessment of DMs by standard tests. Limitations are acknowledged and include method invariance and sample homogeneity.

Is a little narcissism a good thing in leadership roles? Test of an inverted U-shaped relationship between leader grandiose narcissism and follower satisfaction with leader

In this multi-level, hetero-source field study with 640 gainfully employed leaders and 1259 followers, we tested an inverted U-shaped relationship between leader grandiose narcissism and follower satisfaction with their leader, which is an important but neglected relationship in personality research on leadership. We found that followers were most satisfied with leaders with a small dose of narcissism. Agreeableness and extraversion explain this relationship. In accordance with the hierarchical model of narcissism from personality research, these findings support dark-side personality tendencies theory in leadership research and behavioral threshold theory on individual differences in narcissism as complementary approaches.

Shining light on the dark side of personality. Measurement properties and theoretical advances

Shining light on the dark side of personality. Measurement properties and theoretical advances

Sex in the dark: Sex differences on three measures of dark side personality

This study examined sex differences in the scores on three different measures of the personality disorders (PDs) all derived from on-line surveys. Two groups (total N = 871) completed the Coolidge Axis-II Inventory which assessed 14 PDs; two groups (total N = 732) completed the Short Dark Tetrad which assessed 4 PDs; four groups (total N = 1558) completed the Personality Inventory for DSM-5—Brief Form which assessed 5 PD dimensions. Cohen's d after ANOVAs, and binary regression analysis revealed consistent findings. In this study we calculated 63 d statistics of which 5 were d > 0.50 and 28 were d > 0.20. In two samples, each using two different instruments, men scored higher than women on Anti-Social, Narcissistic and Sadistic PD which is a consistent finding in the literature. Speculations are made about the origin of these differences. Limitations are acknowledged.

The battle between light and dark side of personality: How light and dark personality traits predict mating strategies in the online context

In recent years, online dating websites, applications, and social media have become increasingly popular tools for finding romantic and/or sexual partners. Individual differences in personality traits predict the use of online dating websites and applications and also influence the motives for their use. Previous work regarding mating strategies in the context of online dating has focused on the Dark Tetrad concept of malevolent personality while ignoring the Light Triad concept of beneficent personality. Light and dark personality traits are not seen as polar opposites as they supplement each other. Thus, the current study aimed to explore the utility of both light (i.e., Faith in Humanity, Humanism, and Kantianism) and dark (i.e., Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism) personality traits in predicting mating strategies in the online context. A total of 216 participants, ages 20 to 56, which used online dating sites, apps, and social media for finding partners in the past year, completed an online questionnaire assessing Dark Tetrad traits, Light Triad traits, and mating orientations. Narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism positively correlated, while Faith in Humanity and Kantianism negatively correlated with short-term mating. However, only Faith in Humanity was a significant predictor of short-term mating. As for long-term mating, the results have shown that it is negatively related to psychopathy and sadism, while it is positively related to all Light Triad traits. Faith in Humanity, Humanism, and Kantianism were significant predictors of long-term mating. These findings highlight the utility of the Dark Tetrad and Light Triad traits in mating orientation research.

Exploring the Dark side of conscientiousness. The relationship between conscientiousness and its potential derailers: perfectionism and narcissism

The current study aimed to identify what individual differences and situational variables cause derailment in highly conscientious people. Data were from a representative working sample of 716 participants across 27 industries, spanning both management and non-management roles. We tested four hypotheses with regard to bright- and dark-side personality traits and the relationship between boss/manager and staff member. Hierarchical linear regressions revealed mixed findings for Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) as a stressor. For maladaptive perfectionism it was confirmed, but not for adaptive perfectionism or narcissism. Results suggest introverts may be more prone to maladaptive perfectionism, even with higher levels of conscientiousness if there are lower LMX levels. Overall, the findings suggest selecting for conscientiousness alone and discounting other personality traits and situational variables may be detrimental in practice. Further implications are discussed alongside the study limitations.

Understanding dark side personality at work: Distinguishing and reviewing nonlinear, interactive, differential, and reciprocal effects

AbstractThe topic of dark side personality at work has received considerable research attention over the past decade, and both qualitative and quantitative reviews of this field have already been published. To show the relevance of dark personality in the work context, existing reviews have typically focused on systematically discussing the different criteria that have been linked to dark traits (e.g., job performance, work attitudes, leadership emergence, etc.). In contrast, and complementing this earlier work, the current review paper summarizes the available literature on this topic by structuring it in terms of the nature of the relationships studied rather than in terms of the types of outcome variables. Doing so, the focus shifts from “What are the outcomes of dark traits?” to “How are dark traits related to work outcomes?” Scrutinizing the nature of these relationships, we specifically focus on four types of effects (i.e., nonlinear, interactive, differential, and reciprocal) that highlight the complexity of how dark side traits operate in the work context. Structured this way, this review first provides a conceptual underpinning of each of these complex effects, followed by a summary of the empirical literature published over the past 10 years. To conclude, we present an integration of this field, provide suggestions for future research, and highlight concrete assessment challenges.

Vulnerable and dominant: Bright and dark side personality traits and values of individuals in organized crime in Denmark.

In this paper, we build on a robust literature on push and pull factors to focus on the personality traits and values of individuals involved in organized crime. We distinguish organized crime from other kinds of criminal activity and recruit a unique sample of non-incarcerated individuals verified by the Danish National Police to be involved in organized crime. We use comprehensive standardized psychological assessments of their big five personality traits, maladaptive dark traits and core values and drivers to compare them to an adult norm group. Danish individuals involved in organized crime are much less emotionally stable (d = 1.84), ambitious and self-confident (d = 1.50), agreeable (d = 0.87) and conscientious (d = 0.65) than the norm group. At the same time, they have substantially higher scores on all but one of the 11 dark traits (Cohen's d ranging from 0.39 to 3.10). They are characterized by a high need for security (d = 1.14) as well as material (d = 0.96) and financial success (d = 0.81). While these patterns fit results previously found in the criminological literature, a latent class analysis reveals two separate groups. A subset of one third of our sample had somewhat less depressed scores on the big five and more moderate scores on the dark traits, indicating more adaptive personality structures. We consider this novel finding in terms of potential exits from a milieu of organized crime.

Doctors in distress: The personality profile of derailing doctors.

This study looked at the bright and dark-side personality profile of distressed and potentially derailing doctors (82% male). The derailing doctors were on average 48.75 years old, and from many specialities, in particular, general practice and surgery. In all, a group of 77 derailing British doctors, and a control group of 357 doctors completed a valid multi-dimensional test of bright-side (normal) personality (NEO-PI-R) and one of dysfunctional interpersonal themes (sub-clinical personality disorders) (HDS: Hogan Development Survey). Controlling for sex and age, the derailing doctors were more Neurotic (less resilient), and less Agreeable, Conscientious, Extraverted and Open-to- Experience. They were also more Excitable (Borderline), Sceptical (Paranoid), Cautious (Avoidant), Reserved (Schizoid), Leisurely (Passive Aggressive) and Bold (Narcissistic). Discriminant analysis showed age, Neuroticism, Extraversion, Leisurely and Excitable were, in that order, the greatest personality discriminators between those who did and did not derail. More research needs to be done on doctor derailment to inform the selection and training of doctors.

The influence of users’ dark triad on knowledge contribution behaviour on social question and answer sites

The users' knowledge contribution behaviour is the driving force for the sustainable development of the social question and answer sites. This kind of user behaviour is affected by various factors, among which users' personality traits are the prominent ones. The dark triad is a theory on the dark side of personality. This article explores the influence and mechanism of users' dark triad on their knowledge contribution in social question and answer sites. A questionnaire survey and statistical methods such as hierarchical regression and Bootstrap analysis were adopted in this study. Information about 301 users with experience in Chinese social question and answer sites were collected through the questionnaire survey. The quantitative analysis of survey data employed the statistical package SPSS 26.0. The dark triad significantly affects knowledge contribution on social question and answer sites. Online self-disclosure plays a completely mediating role in the relationship between the dark triad and knowledge contribution. The relational psychological contract has a moderating role between online self-disclosure and knowledge contribution. This study argues that the dark triad has a positive effect on knowledge contribution behaviour in socialized question and answer communities by constructing a model of mediated effects that are moderated. The dark triad shows its altruistic side in the context of social question and answer sites. The role of the dark triad in different knowledge-intensive contexts should be viewed dialectically in future research. Based on these findings, we put forward some suggestions for encouraging users' knowledge contribution behaviour in the social media context.

Few sex differences in dark side personality scale domains and facets

• Over 50,000 adults completed a measure of sub-clinical personality disorder. • Males and females were compared on the 11 domains and 33 facets of the disorders. • Cohen's d statistic showed very few (5 out of 44) differences >0.20. • The biggest difference was on reserved (Schizoid) and few differences on excitable (Borderline). This study examined sex differences in domain and facet scores on a new dark-side personality test (Hogan Development Survey: Form 5) measuring sub-clinical personality disorders. Over 50,000 adults completed the new HDS which assesses eleven dark-side traits and three facets of each. Comparing males and females on the 11 domains and 33 facets using t-tests and binary regressions we found that there were many significant differences on these scores, which replicated other studies. However, the Cohen's d statistic showed very few (5 out of 44) differences >0.20. The biggest difference was on Reserved (Schizoid) and few differences on Excitable (Borderline). Implications for researchers interested in assessment and selection are discussed along with limitations of the study.

Grandiose and vulnerable narcissism and regulatory focus at work in relation to strengths use and deficit correction in the workplace.

Extant research has shown that grandiose narcissism predicts a wide range of work-related outcomes. However, despite differentiating in the social-personality literature besides grandiose narcissism also its vulnerable form, there is little organizational research that would include both expressions of narcissism, in particular with regard to positive organizational behaviors, including strengths use and deficit correction in the workplace. In addition, the role of dark-side personality traits, such as narcissism, in predicting strengths use and deficit correction in the workplace, in particular in regard to motivational factors, seems understudied. Accordingly, this study adds to the literature on narcissism in the organizational context by investigating the direct effects of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism and motivational orientation in the form of regulatory focus at work on strengths use and deficit correction in the workplace. Based on a sample of 446 working adults from the Polish population, it was found that grandiose narcissism positively predicted both strengths use and deficit correction. In turn, vulnerable narcissism was unrelated to strengths use and deficit correction. Furthermore, drawing on the distal-proximal model of work-specific regulatory focus, it also tested whether regulatory focus at work has the incremental validity over grandiose and vulnerable narcissism in predicting strengths use and deficit correction. The hierarchical regression analyses indicated that both promotion and prevention focus were positively associated with strengths use and deficit correction, predicting them beyond grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. The theoretical and practical implications of this study in the context of narcissism in the workplace and positive organizational scholarship are discussed.

Predictors and outcomes of cyberbullying among college students: A two wave study.

Existing research on cyberbullying has primarily focused on adolescents in cross-sectional survey studies, with less research focusing on college students or employed adults over longer periods of time. To extend this literature, the current study examined new predictors and outcomes of cyberbullying perpetration (CP) and victimization (CV) among college students from two different universities that were followed across two time points. Risk factors were measured in line with previous theoretical models, including biological or personality-related variables (e.g., low self-control, dark-side personality traits, empathy) and environmental variables (e.g., perceived social support, lack of rule clarity, and internet use). Additionally, we examined several possible outcomes of CV and CP. Results from path analyses revealed that involvement with traditional bullying (either as a perpetrator or a victim) as well as Machiavellianism significantly predicted CV and CP. With regard to the cross-lagged associations between CV and CP, we found that Time 1 CV predicted time 2 CP, but Time 1 CP did not predict Time 2 CV. That is, being a victim of cyberbullying during the Fall semester predicted involvement as a perpetrator in the Spring semester. However, being a perpetrator during the Fall semester did not predict being a victim during the Spring semester. Regarding outcomes, we found that CV significantly predicted anxiety, depression, and helping behavior, and CP significantly predicted deviant behavior, but not GPA nor alcohol consumption. These findings have practical implications for college students as well as university student support services.

Dark side personality and safety-related traits

This study examined the relationship between eleven dark-side personality traits and six established safety competencies in a large sample. Over twenty-five thousand Americans completed a questionnaire on Safety-Related behaviour in the work-place which measured six different, but related, safety competencies. They also completed a Dark Side personality measure (Hogan Development Survey). Factor analysis revealed the six safety competencies consisted of two factors which, along with the total score, were the criterion variables. Step-wise regressions indicated that Dark Side traits Excitable (Borderline), Mischievous (Psychopath) and Colourful (Histrionic) were related negatively to the safety-related traits. In addition, the higher order Dark Side factor “Moving Against Others” (Cluster B) was associated with high risk, low safety competencies. There were interesting and important differences showing very different correlates of the three criterion variables. Problems of method invariance, as well the role of individual differences in safety-related traits and competencies, were discussed.