Dirty Dozen Research Articles

The dark triad and depressive symptoms among chinese adolescents: moderated mediation models of age and emotion regulation strategies.

Dark Triad has been found to relate with depressive symptoms, but the underlying mechanism was rarely investigated. In the present study, we examined the mediating effect of two emotion regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression) and the moderating effect of gender and age. 709 Chinese adolescents aged 12-18 years (M = 14.54, SD = 1.70;55.3% girls) filled out the Dirty Dozen, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire and the 10-item of Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. As expected, Dark Triad was related with increased levels of depression and emotion regulation strategies acted as mediators in these associations. Suppression mediated the relationship between Machiavellianism and depression. Reappraisal and suppression mediated the link between psychopathy and depression. Reappraisal mediated the association between narcissism and depression. Besides, age moderated the effect of Machiavellianism on reappraisal, suggesting Machiavellianism had a negative impact on reappraisal for younger adolescents, but not for older adolescents. Age also moderated the effect of reappraisal on depression, indicating the negative effect of reappraisal on depression was stronger for younger adolescents than for older adolescents. These results address how Dark Triad traits affect depression via emotion regulation strategies and indicate the effectiveness of Dark Triad and emotion regulation strategies may change across age groups.

Effect of Dark Triad Personality on Cyberbullying Behavior among Malaysian University Students

Cyberbullying has become more prevalent in this age due to the increased usage of electronic gadgets, the Internet, as well as the personality traits of the aggressor. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of Dark Triad personality traits on cyberbullying behaviour among university students. The personality model adopted in this study is the Dark Triad Model, which includes Machiavellianism, Narcissism and Psychopathy. This current study used a cross-sectional quantitative research design to collect data through online questionnaires. This study utilized the 9-Item Cyberbullying Offending Scale and the 12-Item Dirty Dozen scale to gather the data. A total of 400 samples from Malaysian public university students were selected based on the convenience sampling methods. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics through SPSS version 27. The finding shows a low level of cyberbullying behaviour among Malaysian university students. The findings also indicated that all three dark traits (i.e. Machiavellianism, Psychopathy, Narcissism) are significantly correlated with cyberbullying behaviour. Meanwhile, the regression analysis indicates that both Psychopathy and Machiavellianism significantly positive affect cyberbullying behaviour. The study contributes to the existing literature by providing evidence from the Malaysian perspective, which is a collectivistic culture in nature. Additionally, the findings provide information to the stakeholders as guidelines for future intervention and prevention programs development for cyberbullying.

Can Dark Triad Traits in Leaders Be Associated with Positive Outcomes of Transformational Leadership

Research that combines dark triad traits and positive leadership styles or outcomes is welcome but still scarce. A quasi-experimental study investigated the mediating role of transformational leadership in linking dark triad leader traits with followers’ extra effort, leadership effectiveness, satisfaction with a leader and the moderating role of culture to these relationships. The moderated mediation model was tested with data from 189 respondents (109 from Lithuania and 80 from Turkey). Participants were asked to answer sociodemographic questions, read one out of five scenarios with hypothetical leaders, and rate those leaders with Dirty Dozen and Multifactor Leadership Questionnaires. Results showed that transformational leadership mediated the relationships for dark triad leader traits with followers’ extra effort, leadership effectiveness and satisfaction with a leader. Conditional indirect effects of a leader’s dark triad traits on three leadership outcomes (followers’ extra effort, leadership effectiveness and satisfaction with a leader) were significant only for Lithuanians. Negative traits were related to less positive outcomes through lower transformational leadership. This effect was stronger in the Lithuanian sample.

Dark triad and cyber aggression among Chinese adolescents during COVID-19: A moderated mediation model.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of online learning has become a necessary choice for students, and would increase the probability of cyber aggression (CA). Despite the relationship between Dark Triad and CA previous was explored in previous research, the underlying psychological mechanism of CA in adolescents is still unclear. The current study aimed to examine the mediating role of moral disengagement (MD) and the moderating of gender in the relationship between Dark Triad and CA. A sample consists of 501 Chinese adolescents (246 females; 255 males) between the ages of 11 ~ 20. Participants completed the Dirty Dozen Scale, Moral Disengagement Scale, and Cyber Aggressive Behavior Scale. Results show that higher levels of dark personality were associated with higher levels of MD and CA. Moral disengagement partially mediated this positive effects of dark personality on CA. Moreover, gender moderated the mediation model. Specially, the positive relationship between dark triad personality and CA was stronger among females adolescents. These findings advance the understanding of how dark triad personality induces Chinese adolescents' cyber aggressive behavior.

An Initial Comparison of the Psychometric Properties of the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen in Spanish and Portuguese

Abstract. We tested the psychometric properties of the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen measure of psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism in Portugal ( n = 1,034) and Spain ( n = 386). Adult ( M = 43.40, SD = 14.81, range = 18–88) participants (1,113 women) completed the Dirty Dozen measure of each trait along with ultrabrief measures of extraversion, openness, neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and religiousness and a lengthier measure of individual differences in depression, anxiety, and stress. Using confirmatory factor analysis and multigroup confirmatory factor analysis, we found evidence for measurement invariance for a 3-factor model of the Dirty Dozen in the sexes and countries. The Dark Triad traits and disagreeableness were present across the traits and countries. Across depression, anxiety, and stress, correlations with the Dark Triad traits were stronger in men than women. Our results suggest that the scale translations – in each country – are trustworthy paving the way for inter-Iberian and international collaborations.

Psychometric properties of an Arabic Version of the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen Scale

ABSTRACT Objective Few studies have investigated the Dark Triad and its impact on behaviour in Saudi Arabia, mostly due to the lack of validated instruments. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen, in the context of Saudi Arabia. Method A sample of 1,329 respondents (59.8% female, mean age = 26.79, SD = 8.47) completed a survey containing the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen (DD), the Corruption Propensity Scale and the Propensity to Morally Disengage scale, as well as a demographics questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis, measurement invariance across gender, internal consistency reliability analysis, test–retest reliability analysis, and concurrent and convergent validity analyses were performed to validate the DD. Results The CFA supported a three-factor model with adequate factor loadings ranging between 0.29 and 0.83 and sufficient fit indices. The scale was gender invariant. The internal consistency reliability and test–retest reliability were adequate (0.70–0.86 and 0.58–0.75, respectively). Moderate-to-high Pearson correlations supported the convergent and concurrent validity of the scale. Conclusion The Dark Triad Dirty Dozen is a reliable and valid measure that can be used in Saudi Arabia.

Dark Triad, Impulsiveness and Honesty-Humility in the Prisoner’s Dilemma Game: The Moderating Role of Gender

(1) Background: The aim of the study was to investigate if the Dark Triad (DT)—which includes psychopathy, Machiavellianism and narcissism—impulsiveness and Honesty-Humility (HH), can predict individuals’ intended behavior in a one-shot Prisoner’s Dilemma Game (PDG) and whether this relationship is moderated by gender. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional correlational design was used, examining regression and moderation models. A total sample of 197 working adults from Greece (64% women, Mage = 35.13 years old) completed a one-shot, simulated PDG, the Dirty Dozen scale, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale and the Honesty-Humility subscale from the HEXACO NEO-PI. (3) Results: Significant correlations between overall DT score, narcissism and psychopathy scores and impulsiveness and all three DT traits, as well as the overall DT score and honesty-humility, were identified. Overall DT scores were found to increase the odds of defecting, while gender significantly moderated the effects of Machiavellianism, HH and impulsiveness on the participants’ behavior in the one shot PDG, leading to different effects for men and women. (4) Conclusions: Gender moderates the relationship between certain personality traits and behavior in social situations involving interdependence and/or moral decision making, such as the PDG, leading to changes both in terms of the statistical significance and the direction of the effect. Simulated social situations could serve as situational judgment tests in an effort to develop a better understanding of the underpinning mechanisms between personality, gender and social behavior.

The Last Slave Ships: New York and the End of the Middle Passage

The Last Slave Ships: New York and the End of the Middle Passage

A Study on Intergenerational Transmission of Dark Triad and Emotion Reactivity.

IntroductionModerate emotion reactivity in the face of daily stress is of positive significance regarding individuals’ psychological well-being and environmental adaptation. The study on intergenerational transmission of Dark Triad and emotion reactivity has confirmed the existence of higher levels of Dark Triad and emotion reactivity in college students in the Chinese sample, which may provide a reference for future related studies.PurposeThe study examined the intergenerational transmission effects of Dark Triad and Emotion Reactivity in families. And based on this, it further analyzed the mediating role of parental emotion reactivity and children’s Dark Triad in the influence of parental Dark Triad on children’s emotion reactivity.MethodsThe questionnaire was administered to 486 families inclusive of fathers, mothers, and children utilizing the Emotion Reactivity Scale (ERS) and the Dirty Dozen (DD).Results1) The intergenerational transmission was presented in the three Dark Triad traits and emotion reactivity. 2) The level of Dark Triad and emotion reactivity of children was remarkably higher than that of their parents. 3) The Dark Triad scores of males were considerably higher than those of females, while there were no significant differences in the scores of emotion reactivity between them. 4) The actor and partner effects of Dark Triad and emotion reactivity between father and mother were established. 5) Parental emotion reactivity and children’s Dark Triad exerted mediating effects on the impact of parental Dark Triad on children’s emotion reactivity.ConclusionThe effect of parental three Dark Triad on their children’s emotion reactivity as well as its mediation mechanism were examined respectively by the present study in the light of APIM and intergenerational transmission analysis. It was concluded that the findings carried both theoretical and reference value for developing moderate emotion reactive ability toward college students.

Moral Disengagement, Dark Triad and Face Mask Wearing during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Not wearing a face mask, despite the sanitary recommendation, represented a public health risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. For this reason, the aim of the study was to determine the mediating role of moral disengagement in the relationship between the dark triad and face mask wearing during the second wave of the pandemic. We worked with a sample made up of 534 adults, who were administered the Dirty Dozen Dark test, the Moral Disengagement Mechanisms Scale and a questionnaire on the frequency of use of face masks. The results showed that moral disengagement mediates the effect of each trait of the dark triad (Machiavellianism, psychopathy and narcissism) on the use of face masks. It is concluded that those who possess any of the dark personality traits morally disengage in order not to use a face mask, exercising a reckless behavior of the possible contagion of COVID-19 to others.

Machiavellian Medical Students Report More Academic Misconduct: A Cocktail Fuelled by Psychological and Contextual Factors

PurposeMaladaptive personality traits and some psychological functioning indicators have been linked to academic misbehaviour; yet their role is still poorly explored in medical students. This study aims to assess associations of academic misconduct with dark personality traits and psychological well-being.MethodsFive hundred and ninety-one medical students attending the first, third and fifth-year at one Portuguese medical school replied to the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen, Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scales and an original Academic Misconduct Questionnaire, using a cross-sectional design. Multiple linear regression was performed to assess associations.ResultsFifth-year medical students who scored higher in Machiavellianism and psychological well-being and perceived greater peer fraud and lower penalty for cheating reported more academic misconduct. The explanatory power of the model was 16.6%. Machiavellianism showed the strongest associations with cheating, while sex and age were not significant predictors.ConclusionThis study offers relevant insights into how maladaptive personalities influence academic misconduct in medical students, and how this relationship is moulded by psychological and contextual factors. These findings can help guide institutional actions to foster academic integrity in future physicians.

Good Traits, Bad Traits, and ‘Ugly’ Behavior: Relations between the Dark Triad, Honesty-Humility, Other HEXACO Personality Traits, and Externalizing Problems in Adolescents

The present study investigated the relative contributions of the Dark Triad, honesty-humility, and other HEXACO traits to externalizing problems in young people. One-hundred-and-six adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years completed an online survey containing the Dirty Dozen for Youth as an index of the Dark Triad traits of psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism, the HEXACO-Middle School Inventory to assess honesty-humility as well as five other basic personality factors, and the Youth Self-Report to measure symptoms of oppositional-defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD). Results first of all showed that the Dark Triad traits were positively correlated with symptoms of ODD and CD, while the HEXACO factor of honesty-humility was negatively correlated with such symptoms. Further, both types of externalizing problems were associated with a unique set of personality correlates. More precisely, ODD symptoms were predicted by higher psychopathy and lower agreeableness and extraversion, while CD symptoms were predicted by higher psychopathy (and to some extent Machiavellianism) and lower honesty-humility, extraversion, and emotionality. It is concluded that the study of the role of temperament and personality in externalizing problems should take a broad perspective that includes malevolent and benevolent traits from various theoretical models.

Dark Triad Personality and Phubbing: The Mediator Role of Fomo.

Phubbing among undergraduate has become an area of increasing research interest in recent years. In recent years, studies on phubbing have increased. However, no empirical study has deal with the mediating effect of fear of missing out (FoMO) on the relationship between dark triad and phubbing. The dark triad refers to three personality traits: Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism. Machiavellianism is characterized by prioritizing one's own wishes and desires. Psychopathy, is a personality trait where lack of emotion and self-control is seen. Narcissism is characterized by low empathy and egocentrism. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine whether FoMO mediator between dark triad and phubbing among undergraduates. For this purpose, structural equation modeling and bootstrapping method was used. Mediation analyses were performed using AMOS 22.00. The present study comprised 506 undergraduate (%70.7 female; %29.3 male). The age of the participants ranged between 18 and 29 (x = 22.41).The measures used included the General Scale of Phubbing, Fear of Missing Out Scale, and Dirty Dozen Scale. The results showed that FoMO mediated the relationship between dark triad and phubbing. The results of bootstrapping procedure indicated that the indirect effect of FoMO on the relationship between dark triad and phubbing was significant. In conclusion, the study suggests that FoMO is a meaningful mediator in the relationship between dark triad and phubbing. Research results are discussed in the light of the related literature and suggestions are presented for future researchers.

The role of the dark triad and the experience of violence in the creation and dissemination of self-destructive online content by adolescents and youth

IntroductionResearch in recent years has raised an important question about the role of the Internet in the self-injurious and suicidal behavior of adolescents and youth.ObjectivesThe aim of this work is to study the role of the experience of violence in real life and the dark triad in the creation and dissemination of self-destructive content among adolescents and youth.Methods827 Russian students aged 15-25 (59% female) сompleted the questionnaire and the “Dirty Dozen” (Kornilova, et al., 2015).ResultsTwo-thirds of respondents have seen self-harm (72%) and suicidal (66%) content. Every seventh respondent (14%) is at risk, because he creates, approves with likes or disseminates self-destructive content among peers. Respondents at risk are more likely to have experienced physical (χ2=9.8, p<0.01), psychological (χ2=4.36, p<0.05) and sexualized (χ2=7.44, p<0.01) violence. Respondents who have a higher machiavellianism are more likely to approve (F=17.96, p=0.00) and disseminate (F=6.07, p<0.05) self-destructive content, less often using the «report» (F=4.06, p<0.05). Adolescents who have a higher psychopathic are more likely to create (F=7.34, p<0.01), disseminate (F=23.27, p=0.00) and approve (F=23.92, p=0.00) it.ConclusionsSelf-destructive online content is seen by most teens and youth, and every seventh creates, approves and distributes it among peers, being a victim of violence in real life and having potential tendencies towards self-harm or suicidal behavior. Teens and youth with higher machiavellianism and psychopathy can create and disseminate self-destructive content due to their own psychological problems, but also potentially involve others. Research was supported by the Russian Foundation for Fundamental Research, project 20-013-00857.DisclosureResearch was supported by the Russian Foundation for Fundamental Research, project 20-013-00857.

Emotional Problems, Dark Personality, Sexting and Grooming in Adolescents: the role of Gender and Age

The present study aimed to study if emotional problems (depression and anxiety) and Dark Personality were predictors of sexting and grooming, and if this behavior differs by gender and age. A sample of 728 adolescents between 11 and 18 years of age (38% male) from three private high schools located in Buenos Aires and Paraná, Argentina, was drawn. They completed a Sexting questionnaire, the Questionnaire for Online Sexual Solicitation and Interaction of Minors with Adults for grooming behavior, Rosenberg Scale of Psychosomatic Symptoms, the Kovacs Depression Inventory for Children and the Dirty Dozen for dark personality traits. Results showed that 12% of adolescents admitted having carried out a sexting behavior. Sending written messages of a sexual nature (11%) and photos (10%) were the most prevalent ways, followed by videos (4%), but no differences were detected according to gender. Significant predictors of sexting and the size of its explained variance ranged by gender (R² = 47% for females and R² = 12% for men, respectively). In the case of females, older age and psychopathy were the significant predictors. In the case of males, less anxiety was the significant predictors. A structural model explained a variance of 6% for sexting and 21% for grooming, indicating that there was no inavariance, according to gender. Linear regressions to predict grooming from sexting also suggested this relationship was moderated by gender.

Direct and Indirect Relationships Between Dark Personality Traits and Loneliness Among Emerging Adults: The Mediating Role of Empathic Tendency

This study aimed to explore whether empathic tendency has a mediating role in the relationship between dark triad personalities (Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism) and loneliness. To that end, data were collected from 510 undergraduate emerging adults (367 men, 137 women). Dark Triad Dirty Dozen, Empathic Tendency Scale, and UCLA Loneliness Scale were used as measures. The research findings indicated negative significant correlations among Machiavellianism and psychopathy, and empathic tendency. According to another finding on the correlations among the variables, there were positive significant correlations among Machiavellianism and psychopathy, and loneliness. On the other hand, significant correlations could not be observed among narcissism and empathic tendency, and loneliness. As for the findings on the mediating role of empathic tendency in the relationship between dark triad personalities and loneliness, empathic tendency acted as a complete mediator in the relationship between Machiavellianism and loneliness and between psychopathy and loneliness. Yet, empathic tendency was not found to be mediating the relationship between narcissism and loneliness. Moreover, Machiavellianism and psychopathy predicted .32 of loneliness via empathic tendency. The findings obtained were discussed and interpreted in light of the literature.

Test-Retest Reliability and Construct Validity of the Brief Dark Triad Measurements

Despite the widespread use of the Dirty Dozen (DD) and Short Dark Triad (SD3) as inventories for antagonist personality constructs, appropriately powered studies on their test-retest reliability (r tt) are lacking. We report the 12-day r tt-s of the DD and SD3 scales. Leveraging the test-retest data, we also calculated their convergent and discriminant correlations while controlling for measurement error. Median r tt-s were .87 and .90 (N = 500) for the DD and SD3 scales, respectively, substantially higher than their internal consistencies. Convergent correlations were .77, .63 and .64 for Machiavellianism, Narcissism and Psychopathy, respectively. Discriminant correlations between the Machiavellianism and Psychopathy scales had a median of .65, pointing to their being effectively indistinguishable traits in the SD3 and DD. The DD and SD3 items had median r tt-s of .69 and .71, respectively. We emphasize the importance of the r tt for scale development and validation.

The Facilitative Effect of Impulsiveness on the Dark Triad and Social Network Sites Addiction

This research investigated the relationships of the Dark Triad, impulsiveness, and social network sites (SNS) addiction with adolescents. In particular, this research examined the indirect effects of the measured motor, attentional, and nonplanning impulsiveness on the relationship of the Dark Triad and SNS addiction. To examine the possible antecedents of SNS addiction, 169 adolescents aged 14-17 were recruited for this research. After obtaining informed consents from their legal guardians, these adolescents completed the Dirty Dozen, the modified Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale, and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale – version 11. Results showed that the Dark Triad composite score was positively correlated with SNS addiction and the different aspects of impulsiveness, while SNS addiction was positively correlated with motor impulsiveness. The indirect effect of motor impulsiveness on the relationship of the Dark Triad and SNS addiction was significant. The present findings provide theoretical insights to the development of SNS addiction.

Social Sustainability in Late Adolescence: Trait Emotional Intelligence Mediates the Impact of the Dark Triad on Altruism and Equity.

Adolescence involves a profound number of changes in all domains of development. Among others, adolescence yields an enhanced awareness and responsibility toward the community, representing a critical age to develop prosocial behaviors. In this study, the mediation role of Trait Emotional Intelligence (TEI) was detected for the relationship between the dark triad and prosocial behavior based on altruism and equity. A total of 129 healthy late adolescents filled in the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen, measuring Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism; the Altruistic Action Scale, evaluating behaviors directed at helping others; the Equity Scale, assessing behaviors directed at equity in different forms; and the TEI Questionnaire-Short Form. Results showed that TEI mediated the negative effects of the three dark triad traits on both altruism and equity. This finding suggests that TEI, which relies on a set of dispositions (e.g., emotional management of others, social competence, and empathy), might reduce the malevolent effects of the dark triad on altruism and equitable behavior in late adolescence. This led to assume that intervention programs focused on improving emotional skills, also in late adolescence, can promote prosociality.

How dark personalities gain workplace influence: A replication and extension

More research is needed on the ways Dark Triad (DT) personality traits (i.e., narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism) negatively influence the workplace. This study examines the association of soft and hard social influence tactics with DT traits by conducting a direct replication of Jonason, Slomsky, and Partyka (2012), which used the Dirty Dozen to measure DT traits. We also extended their study by including a contemporary measure of the DT, the Short Dark Triad. We tested our hypotheses that, 1) each DT traits significantly predict at least one of the workplace tactic styles (soft or hard); 2) The gender of participants does not significantly explain the variance in either soft or hard tactics after controlling for the mediating effect of DT composite. Across two studies, the results largely replicated previous conclusions and supported our hypotheses with some notable differences. Machiavellianism was associated with hard tactics, but not soft tactics. Narcissism was associated with both soft and hard tactics. Like Machiavellianism, psychopathy was associated with hard tactics, but not soft tactics, however, individuals high in psychopathy utilized more threats and punishment and less charm than those high in Machiavellianism. We discuss the implications of the observed differences between the two DT measures.