The Dark Triad and social behavior: The influence of self-construal and power distance

A Network Analysis Approach to Understanding Centrality and Overlap of 21 Dark Triad Items in Adults of 10 Countries

Background

Previous research has suggested that manipulation and callousness are central to Dark Triad traits, but it has not identified which specific manifestations are expressed across various countries.

Objective

This study aimed to identify the core and overlapping manifestations of Dark Triad traits across 10 countries.

Methods

We used the Short Dark Triad (SD3) scale and assessed a sample of 8093 participants (59.7% women, M(age) = 32.68 years). For graphical representation, the spinglass algorithm was applied to understand the cluster distribution among Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and subclinical narcissism traits. Centrality indices were used to identify the most influential items, and the clique-percolation algorithm was employed to detect shared attributes among multiple Dark Triad items.

Results

Straightforward SD3-21 items demonstrated better interpretability as aversive traits within the broader system. Items with higher centrality values were those related to short-term verbal manipulation from the psychopathy domain, clever manipulation, strategic revenge-seeking from Machiavellianism, and narcissistic motivations for connecting with significant individuals. The most predicted items were linked to planned revenge, using information against others from Machiavellianism, short-term psychopathic verbal manipulation, and narcissistic belief of specialness based on external validation. Items like short-term verbal manipulation had overlaps with both psychopathy and narcissism clusters, while clever manipulation overlapped with Machiavellianism and psychopathy.

Conclusion

This cross-cultural study highlights the central role of verbal manipulation within the Dark Triad traits, along with identifying overlapping items among traits measured using straightforward SD3 scale items. In line with our findings, future research that incorporates a wide range of cultural contexts is encouraged to establish the consistency of these findings with the SD3 Scale or alternative measures.

The Dark Triad and Sexual Assertiveness Predict Sexual Coercion Differently in Men and Women

Sexual coercion is a global problem that has been studied widely with regard to various characteristics of the perpetrators. The Dark Triad of personality (i.e., narcissism, Machiavellianism, and primary and secondary psychopathy) has been indicated as an important predictor of coercive cognitions and behaviors. In this study, we report findings of an online study (N = 208), exploring the relationship between sexual coercion, the Dark Triad, and sexual assertiveness (i.e., strategies for achieving sexual autonomy). We found that the Dark Triad was a stronger predictor of sexual coercion in men than in women. In men, all the Dark Triad components were significantly, positively correlated with sexual coercion, and narcissism and Machiavellianism had significant, negative correlations with sexual assertiveness. In women, only narcissism had a significant, positive correlation with sexual coercion, and the Dark Triad traits were not correlated with sexual assertiveness. In regression analyses, controlling for shared variance between the predictor variables, high secondary psychopathy, and low sexual assertiveness emerged as significant predictors of coercion in men. Only narcissism was a significant positive predictor in women. We discuss the results with a reference to evolutionary Life History theory.

Dark triad and situational variables and their relationship to career success and counterproductive work behaviors among employees in Turkey

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between dark triad personality (DTP) and organizational and individual counterproductive work behaviors (CWB) and perceived career success among employees in Turkey. Additionally, the study examined the effects of four situational variables: perceived organizational politics, transparency, psychological contract breach, and accountability.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 156 employees across five service organizations in Sakarya, Turkey, using the survey method.

Findings

The regression analysis findings showed that the three traits of the DTP, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy were significantly related to both organizational and interpersonal dimensions of the CWB. Narcissism was not related to any of the dimensions of CWB. The findings showed no significant relationship between any of the four situational variables and the two forms of CWB. However, three of the situational variables were related to perceived career success, while the three dimensions of DTP were not.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitations of this study are its cross-sectional design and the self-reported measures of the dependent variables. Interestingly, the study showed that having high levels of DTP does not necessarily promote their careers.

Originality/value

This study contributes to examining career success as a dependent variable in addition to CWB. The findings showed that situational variables are related to career success, and DTP is related to CWB. This finding has both conceptual and practical implications.

Examining correlates of organizational citizenship behavior and counterproductive work behavior in a collectivist culture: the case of Arab teachers in Israel

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationships between personal (emotional intelligence, Dark Triad (DT), core self-evaluation and burnout) and situational variables (organizational justice) and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) (supervisor report) and counterproductive work behavior (CWB) (self-report).

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 680 questionnaires were distributed to teachers in 20 Arab elementary schools in Northern Israel. Usable questionnaires were returned by 509 teachers (75%). The questionnaires covered emotional intelligence, DT, core self-evaluation, organizational justice, burnout, CWB and demographic characteristics. Their principals filled out questionnaires on the teachers’ in-role performance and OCB.

Findings

Results showed that CWB was mostly related to higher levels of psychopathy, lower levels of emotional intelligence (ability to use emotions) and higher levels of burnout (emotional exhaustion). OCB was related to higher levels of procedural justice, lower levels of burnout and higher levels of emotional intelligence.

Practical implications

Organizations should consider ways to reduce burnout, which may reduce CWB and increase perceptions of justice, thereby promoting OCB.

Originality/value

Two novel aspects are noteworthy. First, this study simultaneously examines both CWB and OCB to clarify the similarities and differences between them. Second, few studies have examined the correlates of CWB and OCB in Arab culture.