The machiavellian personality is characterized by the will to manipulate and the desire for power.

Machiavellianism is a personality trait associated with cynicism, distrust and a willingness to exploit others (Christie and Geis, 1970, Vecchio and Sussman, 1991). Previous research demonstrates that Machiavellianism is associated with a greater number of sexual partners (McHoskey, 2001) and the use of strategies intended to avoid or reduce relationship commitment (Jonason & Buss, 2012). Thus, it is often argued that the Machiavellian interpersonal style facilitates a short-term mating strategy and thus confers an evolutionary advantage (Buss, 2009, Jonason et al., 2012). However, Machiavellianism influences a range of relationship types, suggesting that Machiavellian men and women are flexible and opportunistic (Fehr et al., 1992, Furnham et al., 2013), and decisions to engage in short or long-term relationships are dependent on the specific rewards available. The current study extends our understanding of Machiavellianism in the context of sexual behavior, and investigates the relationships between Machiavellianism, motivations for sexual activity, sexual deception and infidelity.

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• Catching the catfish: Exploring gender and the Dark Tetrad of personality as predictors of catfishing perpetration

  2023, Computers in Human Behavior

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  Catfishing, the act of deceiving and exploiting another person online, can have significant negative impact on the target. To date, limited research has explored individual differences in perpetration of catfishing. We address this paucity by adopting an evolutionary psychology theoretical framework (the “cheater strategy” hypothesis) and exploring the utility of gender and the "Dark Tetrad" personality traits of psychopathy, sadism, Machiavellianism, and narcissism to predict catfishing perpetration. A sample of 664 participants (55.8% men, 40.3% women) with an average age of 28.84 years (SD = 9.60) were recruited via social media and completed an anonymous online questionnaire which comprised measures of personality and catfishing behaviours. Combined, the variables explained 62.6% of variance in catfishing perpetration. Results partially supported the hypotheses, with only psychopathy, sadism, and narcissism emerging as positive predictors of catfishing perpetration. Findings of the current study indicate that evolutionary psychology may be a useful theoretical framework when exploring antisocial online behaviours. Further, these findings provide crucial information regarding the psychological profile of a “catfish” and may have important practical implications by informing the prevention and management of this online behaviour.

• Evidence for the superordinate predictive ability of trait psychopathy: The Dark Triad and quality of sexual life

  2022, Personality and Individual Differences

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  Novel evidence indicates that quality of sexual life is linked to the Dark Triad personality traits. However, results of Dark Triad research have often remained unreplicated, thus questioning the validity of observed effects. Here, we conceptually replicate and extend previous findings on the links of the Dark Triad to the quality of sexual life (i.e., sexual self-concept and generalized sexual satisfaction components) in a large, community-based sample (N = 896, 72% women, mean age = 28.1 years). Participants completed online self-assessments of narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and the quality of their sexual lives. Regression analyses showed that all dark traits were positively associated with higher sexual preoccupation, but narcissism and psychopathy were positively linked with higher sexual motivation, self-esteem, and assertiveness, yet negatively related to anxiety and fear. Higher Machiavellianism scores were linked to more negative emotions and lower sexual motivation, self-esteem, assertiveness, and satisfaction. While aversive personality traits were predictive of sexual self-concept and satisfaction, the superordinate predictive value of trait psychopathy raises concerns about the validity of the conceptualization of the Dark Triad as three overlapping, yet sufficiently distinct personality traits. We show that psychopathy appears to be the most important aversive personality trait driving quality of sexual life.

• Dominance or deceit: The role of the Dark Triad and hegemonic masculinity in emotional manipulation

  2020, Personality and Individual Differences

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  People may emotionally manipulate others in an attempt to control them and achieve personally satisfying outcomes. Experiencing emotional manipulation is related to several negative outcomes (e.g., depression). As a first step in addressing these negative outcomes, this study explored the utility of hegemonic masculinity and the Dark Triad (i.e., trait narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy) in predicting emotional manipulation. Three hundred and twenty-seven participants (119 men, 208 women) completed an online survey measuring hegemonic masculinity, narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, as well as their (a) perceived ability to emotionally manipulate others, and (b) willingness to engage in emotional manipulation. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that, for both men and women, hegemonic masculinity was a significant predictor of one's willingness and perceived ability to emotionally manipulate others. However, when Dark Triad traits were added to the model, hegemonic masculinity's contribution became non-significant. Hegemonic masculinity seems to share variance with Dark Triad traits, particularly Machiavellianism. These findings are important as they establish that existing operational definitions of hegemonic masculinity share features with certain ‘dark’ personality traits. Thus, when predicting antisocial behaviour and tendencies, perhaps the variance explained by hegemonic masculinity is better captured by dark personality traits.

• Dark Triad traits and perceived quality of alternative partners

  2020, Personality and Individual Differences

  Citation Excerpt :

  Machiavellianism is characterised by cynicism, manipulation, and a willingness to exploit others (Christie & Geis, 1970). The trait is associated with low commitment to romantic partners (Jonason & Buss, 2012), increased willingness to engage in infidelity (Brewer & Abell, 2015), and resistance to a partner's mate guarding behaviour (Abell & Brewer, 2016). Those high on Machiavellianism also view others as a ‘means to an end’ and engage in sexual behaviour in order to achieve a specific goal, such as an increase in resources or social status (Brewer & Abell, 2015).

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  Those high on Dark Triad traits (narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy) report poor quality romantic relationships and greater susceptibility to infidelity. The present study investigated the relationship between Dark Triad traits and the perceived quality of alternative partners. Heterosexual women (NȂ=Ȃ379) aged 17–63 years (M = 26.93, SD = 10.78) completed the NPI-16, Mach IV, Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale, and Quality of Alternatives Scale. A multiple hierarchical regression revealed that the Dark Triad traits predicted perceived quality of alternatives when controlling for participant age and relationship length. Narcissism and Machiavellianism were the only significant individual predictors, such that women high on narcissism or Machiavellianism were more likely to acknowledge the availability of alternative relationships. Increased awareness of alternative mates may, in part, contribute to previously reported associations between these traits, poor quality relationships, and infidelity.

• Sexy deeds done dark? Examining the relationship between dark personality traits and sexual motivation

  2019, Personality and Individual Differences

  Citation Excerpt :

  Although some studies have examined the links between ‘lighter’ personality (e.g., the Five Factor Model) and sexual motivations (e.g., Heaven et al., 2003; Meston & Buss, 2007), to our knowledge, there has only been one study examining any component of dark personality and sexual motivations. Brewer and Abell (2015) correlated Machiavellianism with a measure of motivation, finding that a significant positive relationship with more self-focused reasons for having sex. This study aims to contribute to the existing literature by examining the four components of dark personality—narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism or the Dark Tetrad (Chabrol et al., 2009)—and their associations with sexual motivation.

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  The Dark Tetrad is composed of four related subclinical personality traits: narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and sadism. Using Life History Theory (LHT) as a framework, the current study examined Dark Tetrad traits as predictors of a variety of sexual motivations and goals. Participants (N = 345) were recruited from a large southern U.S. university and completed Dark Tetrad measures and scales related to various self- and partner-focused motivations for sex. Results indicated that greater Machiavellianism was associated with being motivated to have sex for selfish reasons (for self-image concerns, to enhance the self, for stress relief and to exert power, and for pleasure), but also with partner-oriented motives (to give the partner power, and fostering emotional connection with a partner). Moreover, greater psychopathy was associated with being motivated to have sex for stress relief; conversely, greater psychopathy was associated with less partner-focused motivations. No effects were found for narcissism and sadism. Consistent with LHT, these results augment our understanding of the sexual and interpersonal experiences of those endorsing Dark Tetrad traits.

• Be yourself: Authenticity as a long-term mating strategy

  2019, Personality and Individual Differences

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  We hypothesize that “being yourself” is the dating strategy of individuals that have successful long-term relationships. Study 1 examined the relationships between authenticity and personality variables that predict relationship outcome. Study 2 employed a two-part acts nomination design to enumerate “being yourself” while dating and to examine personality correlates of “being yourself”. Study 3 explored whether individuals being themselves are attractive and if being yourself results in assortative mating with authentic individuals. Study 4 determined the effect of “be yourself” mindset priming on “be yourself” dating behavior. Study 1 found that authenticity is associated with emotional intelligence and positive relational outcomes. Study 2 found that “being yourself” dating behavior is associated with authenticity, secure attachment, and low narcissism. Study 3 found that “be yourself” dating behavior is attractive and facilitates assortative mating with authentic individuals. Study 4 found that rejection sensitive individuals are more likely to engage in “be yourself” dating behavior when made to feel safe to be themselves. “Be yourself” is the dating strategy that authentic individuals use to facilitate successful long-term relationships.

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