The Tetradic Heart of Darkness: Comparing three dark-side instruments

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.

Do you have to be mad to believe in conspiracy theories? Personality disorders and conspiracy theories

This study explored the relationship between belief in conspiracy theories and the personality disorders. A sample of 475 British adults, aged around 30 years, completed measures of Belief in Conspiracy Theories (CTs) and the Personality Disorders (PDs), as well as the SAPAS, a short intelligence test and two self-evaluations. Belief in CTs was correlated with nearly all PDs, as well as the three established higher order clusters (A: odd and eccentric; B: dramatic and emotional; C: anxious). A series of stepwise multiple regressions were computed. A final regression showed five of the variables (education, intelligence, Cluster A, B, and C) were significant, which indicated that less well-educated and less intelligent participants, scoring higher on two PD clusters (Cluster A and B) but lower on Cluster C, believed more in the CTs. Implications of the study for understanding the origin of CTs is discussed. Limitations of the study, particularly the sample and measures used, are acknowledged.

Measurement Invariance of the Short Dark Tetrad Across Cultures and Genders

Abstract. The last two decades revealed a plethora of scientific examinations on the Dark Triad (narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism) and Dark Tetrad traits (Dark Triad + sadism) in a variety of contexts. Short scales for the assessment of these traits have been very influential and widely used. Building upon previous research, the 28-item Short Dark Tetrad (SD4) was introduced as a measure for the assessment of the Dark Tetrad traits. A recent study found that the SD4 is invariant across genders, but little is known concerning invariance across cultures. Therefore, we tested measurement invariance (MI) between German and US participants. Additionally, we replicated extant findings on MI across genders. The analyses suggested configural MI across cultures, metric MI between genders in a US sample, and scalar MI across genders in a German sample. To address that the SD4 revealed only a modest fit in the samples, we further computed Exploratory Structural Equation Models. Those were mostly consistent with the original model structure and indicated that adding marginal cross-loadings among the factors accounts for enhanced model fit. Possible explanations for the findings related to MI were discussed.

Dark or disturbed?: Predicting aggression from the Dark Tetrad and schizotypy

Research on the personality foundations of aggression typically implicates either (a) aspects of the so-called "Dark Tetrad" or (b) severe mental disturbance (psychosis). The appearance of psychotic symptoms in general populations is termed schizotypy. We conducted two studies to compare the effects of dark personalities and schizotypy on aggression. Study 1 used standard inventories to investigate the overlap of Dark Tetrad traits with schizotypy in a sample of 977 undergraduates. All tetrad traits except narcissism were positively associated with schizotypy, but only at moderate levels. Study 2 administered the same personality battery to 303 members of an online community sample: Aggression outcomes were measured with both self-reports and a behavioral measure-the Voodoo Doll Task. Regression analyses determined the unique contributions of the five personality variables. Two dark traits-psychopathy and sadism-were strong predictors of self-report aggression. Schizotypy added incrementally to the Dark Tetrad in predicting both self-report and behaviorally measured aggression.