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Kowalski CM, Rogoza R, Saklofske DH, Schermer JA. Dark triads, tetrads, tents, and cores: Why navigate (research) the jungle of dark personality models without a compass (criterion)? Acta Psychol (Amst) 2021; 221:103455. [PMID: 34864320 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2021.103455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
This comprehensive review summarizes and evaluates the present state of the Dark Triad research literature (or more broadly, the dark personality trait literature), and as such serves both a pedagogical purpose, by providing an introduction or primer on the dark personality literature and a scientific purpose by directing future research on key issues that still have not been sufficiently addressed. In this review, we discuss and critique current operational conceptualizations of what it means for a personality trait to be classified as 'dark'. Also discussed is the Dark Core, as well as quantitative issues such as limitations of commonly used statistical treatments, such as multivariate analyses, bifactor modeling, and composite measures, and proposed solutions to some of these issues. Based on a comprehensive and critical appraisal of the literature, future directions are suggested to drive the dark trait field towards a more organized, parsimonious, and productive future.
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Delgado-Herrera M, Reyes-Aguilar A, Giordano M. What Deception Tasks Used in the Lab Really Do: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Ecological Validity of fMRI Deception Tasks. Neuroscience 2021; 468:88-109. [PMID: 34111448 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Interpretation of the neural findings of deception without considering the ecological validity of the experimental tasks could lead to biased conclusions. In this study we classified the experimental tasks according to their inclusion of three essential components required for ecological validity: intention to lie, social interaction and motivation. First, we carried out a systematic review to categorize fMRI deception tasks and to weigh the degree of ecological validity of each one. Second, we performed a meta-analysis to identify if each type of task involves a different neural substrate and to distinguish the neurocognitive contribution of each component of ecological validity essential to deception. We detected six categories of deception tasks. Intention to lie was the component least frequently included, followed by social interaction. Monetary reward was the most frequent motivator. The results of the meta-analysis, including 59 contrasts, revealed that intention to lie is associated with activation in the left lateral occipital cortex (superior division) whereas the left angular gyrus and right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) are engaged during lying under instructions. Additionally, the right IFG appears to participate in the social aspect of lying including simulated and real interactions. We found no effect of monetary reward in our analysis. Finally, tasks with high ecological validity recruited fewer brain areas (right insular cortex and bilateral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC)) compared to less ecological tasks, perhaps because they are more natural and realistic, and engage a wide network of brain mechanisms, as opposed to specific tasks that demand more centralized processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maribel Delgado-Herrera
- Departamento de Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro 76230, Mexico.
| | - Azalea Reyes-Aguilar
- Departamento de Psicobiología y Neurociencias, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3004, Ciudad de México, México.
| | - Magda Giordano
- Departamento de Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro 76230, Mexico.
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3
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Abstract
Abstract. Deception of research participants has long been and remains a hot-button issue in the behavioral sciences. At the same time, the field of psychology is fortunate to have an ethics code to rely on in determining whether and how to use and report on deception of participants. Despite ongoing normative controversies, the smallest common denominator among psychologists is that deception ought to be a last resort – to be used only when there is no other defensible way to study a question or phenomenon. Going beyond previous normative discussions or inquiries into the mere prevalence of deception, we ask the fundamental question whether common practice is compatible with this interpretation of our field’s ethical standards. Findings from an empirical literature review – focusing on the feasibility of nondeceptive alternative procedures and the presence of explicit justifications for the use of deception – demonstrate that there is a notable gap between the last resort interpretation of our ethical standards and common practice in psychological research. The findings are discussed with the aim of identifying viable ways in which researchers, journal editors, and the scientific associations crafting our ethics codes may narrow this gap.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Robert Böhm
- Department of Psychology, Department of Economics, and Copenhagen Center for Social Data Science (SODAS), University of Copenhagen, Denmark
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4
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Wu Y, Hall ASM, Siehl S, Grafman J, Krueger F. Neural Signatures of Gender Differences in Interpersonal Trust. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 14:225. [PMID: 32612518 PMCID: PMC7309600 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.00225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Trust plays a critical role in nearly every aspect of social life. Parental investment theory and social role theory predict that women trust less than men due to a higher sensitivity to risk and betrayal, while men trust more than women to maximize resources and to signal their willingness to lose something. However, the underlying neuropsychological underpinnings for this gender difference are still obscure. In this study, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the neural signatures of gender differences in trust by simultaneously scanning 11 male and 11 female same-gender, fixed dyads who played a multi-round binary trust game with varying levels of payoff (low/moderate/high) as an indicator of social risk. Our results showed that men trusted more than women and payoff level moderated the effect of gender on trust. While men trusted the same at all payoff levels, women trusted less with higher payoff levels. This pattern was supported by our neuroimaging finding: men showed a higher activation in the left inferior frontal gyrus (ventrolateral prefrontal cortex) and right precuneus than women, indicating that men exert more effort to inhibit the information of payoff levels and to use self-referencing to infer the strategies of partners with the goal of maximizing profit. Furthermore, men showed equivalent activation in the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex across payoff levels, whereas women showed a decreased activation with increasing payoff level - indicating decreased group bonding with higher risk in women. In conclusion, our results imply that women are more sensitive to social risk while trusting, which has implications for financial interactions, interpersonal relationships, and social involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wu
- Department of Psychology, College of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive Impairments, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Alisha S M Hall
- Department of Psychology, University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sebastian Siehl
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.,Graduate School of Economic and Social Sciences, University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jordan Grafman
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Frank Krueger
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States.,Department of Psychology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States
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5
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Badawy RL, Brouer RL, Fabrizio EA. When do Machs feel threatened? An investigation into fair situations. JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN PERSONALITY 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jrp.2018.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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6
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Szabó E, Bereczkei T. Different Paths to Different Strategies? Unique Associations Among Facets of the Dark Triad, Empathy, and Trait Emotional Intelligence. Adv Cogn Psychol 2017; 13:306-313. [PMID: 29362646 PMCID: PMC5771371 DOI: 10.5709/acp-0230-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Emotional deficits, such as limited empathy, are considered a fundamental aspect
of the Dark Triad traits (narcissism, Machiavellianism, and
psychopathy). However, the nature and extent of such deficiencies seem to vary
among dark personalities. By applying multidimensional measures of empathy,
emotional intelligence, and the Dark Triad, we aimed to investigate in more
detail how individuals high in various dark traits understand and evaluate
emotions. Results indicated that each trait, and, moreover, each facet thereof
entailed unique emotional deficiencies. Narcissism was positively associated
with trait emotional intelligence, whereas the secondary factor of psychopathy
was associated negatively. With respect to empathy, only primary psychopathy was
linked to an overall deficit, while a positive relationship was found between
Machiavellianism and the perspective-taking facet of cognitive empathy. We argue
that the specific emotional limitations of the Dark Triad traits might
contribute to the successful deployment of different socially aversive
strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edit Szabó
- Institute of Psychology, University of Pécs, Hungary
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7
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Cohen-Zimerman S, Chau A, Krueger F, Gordon B, Grafman J. Machiavellian tendencies increase following damage to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Neuropsychologia 2017; 107:68-75. [PMID: 29126929 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2017.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Machiavellianism - a personality trait that is characterized by a tendency to distrust, deceive and exploit others - has been the focus of growing attention in psychological research. Neuroimaging studies of Machiavellianism highlight the influence of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) on Machiavellianism tendencies. However, knowledge regarding the causal role of the left and right dlPFC on Machiavellianism is still obscure. Here, we measured general Machiavellian tendencies, as well as two subscales (i.e., Machiavellian Views and Machiavellian Tactics) in a large sample of brain-injured patients (N = 129) and non-brain-injured control participants (N = 37) to determine whether Machiavellianism tendencies can be altered by brain damage. We analyzed Machiavellianism tendencies as a function of lesion location, with patients separated into four groups based on dlPFC damage: left dlPFC damage, right dlPFC damage, non-dlPFC damage, and healthy controls. We found that left dlPFC damage increased Machiavellianism in general, and Machiavellian perspective (views) in particular, but did not modulate behavior (tactics). Critically, left dlPFC damage predicted higher levels of Machiavellianism after controlling for general and emotional intelligence, linguistic abilities, empathy and psychopathology. These findings establish a causal role of the left dlPFC in modulating Machiavellian views, and indicate that one can hold Machiavellian views without necessarily endorsing Machiavellian tactics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aileen Chau
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Frank Krueger
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA; Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Barry Gordon
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Cognitive Science Department, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jordan Grafman
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Gonçalves ÓF, Boggio PS. Is there a T.R.U.M.P. brain? Implications for mental health and world peace. Porto Biomed J 2017; 2:247-249. [PMID: 32258777 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbj.2017.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Highlights Specific mind-brain processes are associated with political attitudes.The risks of a T.R.U.M.P. mindset are highlighted.An alternative G.A.N.D.H.I. mindset is suggested. Abstract Neuroscientists have begun to investigate whether different political attitudes are associated with specific mind-brain markers. In this article, we build on political neuroscience research to briefly illustrate the structure and function of a Threatening, Reactionary, Unforgiving, Machiavellian, and Partisan (T.R.U.M.P.) mindset. Additionally, we discussed, building on neuroscience and clinical evidence, how to counteract the T.R.U.M.P. mindset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Óscar F Gonçalves
- Neuropsychphysiology Lab, School of Psychology University of Minho, Portugal.,Spaulding Center for Neuromodulation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital - Harvard Medical School, USA.,Social and Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Mackenzie Presbiterian University, Brazil
| | - Paulo S Boggio
- Social and Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Mackenzie Presbiterian University, Brazil.,Neuropsychphysiology Lab, School of Psychology University of Minho, Portugal
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9
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Gender Differences in Behavioral and Neural Responses to Unfairness Under Social Pressure. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13498. [PMID: 29044205 PMCID: PMC5647364 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13790-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have revealed the key role of social pressure on individuals' decision-making processes. However, the impact of social pressure on unfairness-related decision-making processes remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated how social pressure modulated men's and women's responses in an ultimatum game. Twenty women and eighteen men played the ultimatum game as responders in the scanner, where fair and unfair offers were tendered by proposers acting alone (low pressure) or by proposers endorsed by three supporters (high pressure). Results showed that men rejected more, whereas women accepted more unfair offers in the high versus low pressure context. Neurally, pregenual anterior cingulate cortex activation in women positively predicted their acceptance rate difference between contexts. In men, stronger right anterior insula activation and increased connectivity between right anterior insula and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex were observed when they receiving unfair offers in the high than low pressure context. Furthermore, more bilateral anterior insula and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activations were found when men rejected (relative to accepted) unfair offers in the high than low pressure context. These findings highlighted gender differences in the modulation of behavioral and neural responses to unfairness by social pressure.
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Machiavellian emotion regulation in a cognitive reappraisal task: An fMRI study. COGNITIVE AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2017; 17:528-541. [DOI: 10.3758/s13415-016-0495-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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11
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Bellucci G, Chernyak SV, Goodyear K, Eickhoff SB, Krueger F. Neural signatures of trust in reciprocity: A coordinate-based meta-analysis. Hum Brain Mapp 2016; 38:1233-1248. [PMID: 27859899 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.23451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Revised: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Trust in reciprocity (TR) is defined as the risky decision to invest valued resources in another party with the hope of mutual benefit. Several fMRI studies have investigated the neural correlates of TR in one-shot and multiround versions of the investment game (IG). However, an overall characterization of the underlying neural networks remains elusive. Here, a coordinate-based meta-analysis was employed (activation likelihood estimation method, 30 articles) to investigate consistent brain activations in each of the IG stages (i.e., the trust, reciprocity and feedback stage). Results showed consistent activations in the anterior insula (AI) during trust decisions in the one-shot IG and decisions to reciprocate in the multiround IG, likely related to representations of aversive feelings. Moreover, decisions to reciprocate also consistently engaged the intraparietal sulcus, probably involved in evaluations of the reciprocity options. On the contrary, trust decisions in the multiround IG consistently activated the ventral striatum, likely associated with reward prediction error signals. Finally, the dorsal striatum was found consistently recruited during the feedback stage of the multiround IG, likely related to reinforcement learning. In conclusion, our results indicate different neural networks underlying trust, reciprocity, and feedback learning. These findings suggest that although decisions to trust and reciprocate may elicit aversive feelings likely evoked by the uncertainty about the decision outcomes and the pressing requirements of social standards, multiple interactions allow people to build interpersonal trust for cooperation via a learning mechanism by which they arguably learn to distinguish trustworthy from untrustworthy partners. Hum Brain Mapp 38:1233-1248, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sergey V Chernyak
- Molecular Neuroscience Department, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
| | - Kimberly Goodyear
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.,Section on Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Simon B Eickhoff
- Institute for Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany.,Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Frank Krueger
- Department of Psychology, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
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12
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Bereczkei T. The manipulative skill: Cognitive devices and their neural correlates underlying Machiavellian's decision making. Brain Cogn 2015; 99:24-31. [PMID: 26189112 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2015.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Revised: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Until now, Machiavellianism has mainly been studied in personality and social psychological framework, and little attention has been paid to the underlying cognitive and neural equipment. In light of recent findings, Machiavellian social skills are not limited to emotion regulation and "cold-mindedness" as many authors have recently stated, but linked to specific cognitive abilities. Although Machiavellians appear to have a relatively poor mindreading ability and emotional intelligence, they can efficiently exploit others which is likely to come from their flexible problem solving processes in changing environmental circumstances. The author proposed that Machiavellians have specialized cognitive domains of decision making, such as monitoring others' behavior, task orientation, reward seeking, inhibition of cooperative feelings, and choosing victims. He related the relevant aspects of cognitive functions to their neurological substrates, and argued why they make Machiavellians so successful in interpersonal relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamas Bereczkei
- Institute of Psychology, University of Pécs, Ifjúság u. 6, Pécs H-7624, Hungary.
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