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AbstractPerceived ostracism (e.g., feeling ignored and excluded) can lead to psychological distress. There has been little empirical research into the types (profiles) of people more likely to perceive ostracism. The present study (N = 604) used latent class analysis (LCA) to (a) explore classes based on antagonistic traits (narcissism, machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism)while controlling for attachment orientation (attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance) and (b) examine whether such classes could reliably differentiate levels of self-reported perceived ostracism. We extracted five classes: (a) Average Low, (b) the Non-Antagonisers, (c) Average High, (d) Spiteful Manipulators, and (e) the High Antagonisers. Those in the High Antagonisers class reported significantly higher levels of perceived ostracism compared to all other classes. No other differences between classes were observed. There were also significant positive relationships for avoidant and anxious attachment on perceived ostracism, respectively. This study provides new insight into the profiles of individuals who may be more likely to perceive ostracism. However, further research is needed to explore the association between personality and perceived ostracism. Researchers may consider measuring the potential outcomes following perceived ostracism for such groups and/or design potential interventions for those at risk of such experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although self-control is frequently comorbid with other antisocial features, some individuals who exhibit psychological risk factors for antisocial conduct nevertheless have relatively high self-control. With this complexity in mind, the current study examined self-control as a potential moderator of antisociality/criminality features and violent attitudes using a community sample of 354 adult participants from Portugal. We found significant evidence that self-control moderates the dark core of personality when predicting antisociality/criminality, but not when predicting violent attitudes. We also found self-control moderates psychopathy when predicting antisocialty/criminality, but self-control had more robust moderation effects for violent attitudes. Specifically, self-control moderated narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism. Self-control did not moderate Machiavellianism in either model. Findings corroborate the notion that self-control plays an important role in moderating some dark traits of personality that are significant predictors for antisocial/criminal behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People find humour in the darkest and most tragic situations. However, there is remarkable interpersonal variability when it comes to setting the so-called limits of humour. We examine how the Dark Tetrad personality traits (DT4; Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism) relate to responses to black humour jokes in online settings. A community sample of 745 adults completed the Short Dark Triad and the Assessment of Sadistic Personality inventories before rating a set of ‘black’ and neutrally humourous jokes in terms of their (a) appreciation (fun/offence), (b) likelihood of sharing, and (c) censoring them on social networks (e.g. Twitter/Facebook). After controlling for common variance, everyday sadism emerged as the strongest DT4 predictor of black humour preferences. This type of dark personality was uniquely associated with higher fun and sharing, and lower offence and censorship of black humour jokes. Machiavellianism was related to negative levels of black humour censorship and offence, whereas the opposite associations were observed for narcissism. Yet, the DT4 only showed rather modest amounts of shared variance regarding responses to black humour jokes, suggesting that interpersonal callousness is insufficient to account for the complexity of black humour interposal variability. We discuss the findings with respect to earlier humour literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has linked the Dark Tetrad to the perpetration of sexual violence. However, while sexual violence is predominantly perpetrated by those known to the victim, little research has looked at the impact of the Dark Tetrad in the context of intimate relationships. The present study aimed to explore the relationship between the Dark Tetrad, attitudes toward sexual coaxing and sexual coercion, and Rape Myth acceptance, while measuring the effects of relationship. Pearson's r correlations, independent sample t-tests, regressions and mediation analyses were conducted on a sample of N = 461 participants from the general population. Results show a gender difference, with women reporting more lenient attitudes toward coercive or coaxing behaviours, and men presenting more dark traits and endorsing more Rape Myths. Furthermore, relationships were established between sadism, psychopathy, and coercive attitudes. This study expands our understanding of the correlates of sexual violence, enabling the design of prevention programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infidelity is a common problem in intimate relationships and is often a main contributor to relationship breakdowns. The aim of the current study was to extend the infidelity literature by differentiating between physical, emotional, and malevolent forms of infidelity, and exploring individual differences (i.e., gender and The Dark Tetrad of personality) that are associated with perpetration in these forms. The sample comprised 240 participants aged 18 to 67 years (Mage = 29.41 years, SD = 10.32; 76.8% women). People with higher psychopathy were more likely to engage in all forms of infidelity. High narcissism was predictive of emotional infidelity, and high sadism was predictive of malevolent infidelity. Interestingly, gender was only predictive of malevolent infidelity, with women more likely than men to perpetrate this form of infidelity. Exploratory analyses indicated that many of the associations between Dark Tetrad and infidelity were moderated by gender. Results of the current study may support researchers and therapists in differentiating between different types of infidelity (i.e., emotional, physical, malevolent). Further, these findings may contribute to the development of screening tools for therapists working who provide support for infidelity in intimate relationships. We perform of a novel exploration of the Dark Tetrad of personality and perpetration of physical, emotional, and malevolent infidelity. By demonstrating differential patterns of predictors for these forms, we provide support for a dimensional conceptualisation of infidelity. These findings may have important clinical implications for relationship researchers and counsellors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is little empirical research conducted on state-sponsored extremism (SSE). Yet, SSE can be seen in society from policy to policing that can lead to discrimination and aggression. The purpose of the study was to investigate if those higher on the Dark Tetrad (D4; Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism) and right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) would demonstrate more support for SSE. We hypothesized those who were higher on the D4 and RWA would show more sympathy towards SSE. We also investigated if cognitive suppression use could predict more support for SSE scenarios. In a cross-sectional design with vignettes, participants indicated their level of agreement with four real-world examples of SSE. A total of 398 participants (287 women, 103 men, 6 non-binary, and 2 who did not indicate gender) from 43 countries were recruited online. We ran a series of hierarchical regressions to develop predictive models to test our hypotheses. Being higher on RWA was a significant predictor that explained the most variance in nearly all models. Being higher on the D4 also predicted more support for SSE in select circumstances. Our findings contribute to the understanding of dispositional dynamics and interpersonal differences in the legitimization of SSE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-reported dark creativity has been related to lower concerns for all moral foundations, especially among those with dark personality traits. The present study aimed to extend these findings using real-world divergent thinking tasks with ethical and unethical instructions. Data (N = 1346, males = 388, females = 840, Mage = 20.93, SD = 5.48) were collected on creative performance, moral foundations, and dark personality traits, including trait deceptiveness. Divergent thinking responses were coded for fluency, flexibility, creativity, goal-directedness, deception, moral valence, and a virtue caveat (where participants explicitly denied to give unethical responses). Results indicated that for both ethical and unethical tasks, lower binding foundations (loyalty, authority, purity) were associated with higher creative performance, whereas higher concerns for moral foundations were related to more noble and positive responses and lower deception used in responses. Among dark personality traits, only trait deceptiveness was a significant mediator between low binding foundations and high creativity. Contrary to our predictions, none of the Dark Tetrad traits were significant mediators. These findings reinforce the salience of deception in the process and outcomes related to dark creativity; implications and suggestions for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite multiple studies providing evidence of subjective inequality and dark personality traits as predictors of extremism, their interactive effect on extremism has not been studied. As such interactions are implied in multiple models of radicalization, this research was focused on testing them. While Study 1 (N = 279), based on a convenient student sample, established the interaction between perceived group relative socio-political deprivation and Dark Triad traits in the prediction of support for political violence, Study 2 (N = 461), based on a quota sample, specified it in the context of radicalized intentions: emotional component of group deprivation (anger, contempt, and disgust) interacts with the Dark Tetrad in the prediction of radicalized but not activist intentions, even after correcting for social desirability bias. Their combined explanatory power (up to 25% of explained variance) robustly confirms the role of individual dispositions and (responses to the perception of) contextual factors, as well as their interactions, in radicalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite media attention on non-consensual intimate image dissemination (NCII), the literature on the personality traits, attitudes, and beliefs that predict NCII approval, enjoyment, and perpetration is limited. With a sample of 810 undergraduate students, we examined the relationship between dark personality traits, acceptance of image-based sexual abuse-related myths, and NCII. We found that 48.2% of our participants did not oppose NCII perpetration, 71.4% did not oppose NCII enjoyment, and 97.8% did not oppose NCII approval. Moreover, we found that being a man, heterosexual, and scoring higher in dark personality traits predicted acceptance of Image-Based Sexual Abuse (IBSA)-related myths. In turn, accepting such myths predicted not opposing NCII proclivity. Our results underscore the importance of demystifying technology-facilitated sexual violence and promoting educational material that highlights lived experience and dispelling IBSA-related myths. This article may assist educators, policymakers, and stakeholders in designing strategies for the prevention of non-consensual intimate image dissemination (NCII) perpetration by explaining how acceptance of image-based sexual abuse myths, personality traits, and demographic characteristics are related to the willingness to accept, enjoy, or engage in NCII perpetration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The explanatory power of the Dark Tetrad of personality (i.e., sub-clinical traits of sadism, psychopathy, narcissism and Machiavellianism) in the prediction of risk-taking behaviours is yet to be determined. This study aimed to predict both self-reported and behavioural risk-taking from the four dark trait variables. Participants (N = 216) completed an online survey using the Short Dark Triad, the Assessment of Sadistic Personality, the Domain-Specific Risk-Taking Scale and the automatic Balloon Analogue Risk Task. It was hypothesised that psychopathy would positively predict risk-taking, and sadism would uniquely positively predict risk-taking. Both hypotheses were partially supported as psychopathy and sadism positively uniquely predicted self-reported risk-taking, but this was not significant for psychopathy after a Bonferroni correction. Furthermore, psychopathy and sadism were not significant predictors of behavioural risk-taking. Detection of factors that motivate individuals to engage in risk-taking behaviours could be valuable in clinical interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women's radicalization is a pending issue in empirical research that is worthy of attention. It has been found that the role of women in international terrorism is much greater than previously thought, but we know almost nothing about the factors underlying the process that would lead them to perpetrate radicalized acts, as almost no empirical research has been carried out on the subject. In this work we aim to explore a model of radicalization of thought and action among young women. The hypothesized model included ten predictors: cultural identity, cultural discrimination, religious involvement, depressive symptoms, and schizotypal, borderline, and the Dark Tetrad traits of personality. Dogmatism was hypothesized as a mediator between these factors and the level of radicalized cognitions and behaviors. The sample comprises 643 college women (aged 18 to 29) from French universities. Our results suggest that women becoming involved in radicalization are more "dark" than "disturbed." Schizotypal, borderline, and depressive features, although being associated to radicalization, do not contribute to the model. Both the dark traits and socio-cultural factors are revealed as predictors of radicalization, while dogmatism is clearly shown as a mediator. Orientations in terms of prevention among young women are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Implied precedence (i.e., the persons involved having had a prior sexual relationship) increases sexual coaxing and coercion (SCC). We examined whether General personality, the Dark Tetrad (Psychopathy, Narcissism, Machiavellianism, Sadism) and mating effort, influenced this association. HEXACO personality, Mating Effort (ME), Short Dark Triad (SD3), Sadism, and Tactics to Obtain Sex Scale (TOSS) measures were completed by 151 participants (M:F:Other = 45:103:3; mean age = 31.97, SD = 11.6). Coaxing varied more than coercion, but wasn't affected by gender or gender-intimacy interaction. Propensity for SCC with a current partner was higher than for an ex-partner or a neighbour, and for an ex-partner compared to a neighbour. SD3, sadism, and ME scores correlated with TOSS scores. Emotionality, Machiavellianism, and ME constructs significantly predicted coaxing, but only ME uniquely predicted coercion. These results suggest individual factors to consider in relationship advisory services and campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women's religious radicalization and the specific factors at play in this process remain largely understudied. Psychopathic, narcissistic, Machiavellian, and sadistic traits constitute the Dark Tetrad of personality, which has been shown to be associated with several antisocial tendencies. Concretely, it has been found that the Dark Tetrad traits predict radicalized cognitions and behaviors in women. The aim of this study was (a) to extract homogeneous groups of participants using cluster analysis based on Dark tetrad traits and (b) to examine whether clusters based on Dark tetrad traits differed in both predictors (perceived discrimination and religious involvement) and consequences (radicalized cognitions and behaviors) of radicalization. Sample included 643 French college women who completed self-report questionnaires. Psychopathic, narcissistic, Machiavellian, and sadistic traits were moderately correlated. The cluster analysis resulted in four groups: a Low Traits group, a Moderate Machiavellian group, a Narcissistic group, and a group high on sadistic, psychopathic and Machiavellian traits (17% of the sample), which was characterized by the highest levels of radicalized cognitions and behaviors. This study suggests that a significant minority of non-clinical college women is characterized by the presence of high levels of Dark Tetrad traits and is at risk of religious radicalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Administrators exhibiting dark personalities challenge arguments for accountability, particularly those reliant on technical rationality or an internal ethos. During periods of rapid change, organizations remain exposed to abuses of power potentially culminating in an administrative apocalypse. The dark tetrad of narcissists, Machiavellians, everyday sadists, and subclinical psychopaths serve as the harbingers of destruction in the face of limited accountability. Each tetrad member employs a unique self-serving, manipulative strategy that undermines public trust and intensifies the need for research on identifying and managing malevolent personalities in the public sector. The biblical images of the four horsemen of the apocalypse help contextualize the impacts on public administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Narcissistic, psychopathic, and Machiavellian personality traits have been reported to be three distinct but empirically overlapping traits called the Dark Triad. Recently, sadistic traits were added to this trio of personality and it became labeled the Dark Tetrad of personality traits. As the Dark Triad has been suggested to be a single Dark Core of personality, additional research is needed to test whether or not the concept of a Dark Core remains relevant when considering both sadism and borderline personality traits. The aim of the study was to assess the contribution of Dark Tetrad traits to antisocial behaviors in a community sample of 511 college students. While controlling for borderline personality traits, and frequency of substance, a multiple regression analysis showed that psychopathic and sadistic traits were unique predictors of antisocial behavior in both genders. Machiavellian and narcissistic traits did not appear to independently contribute to antisocial behavior. While not significant in this variable-centered study, exploring the association of borderline personality traits with the Dark Tetrad using a person-centered approach is warranted and further studies beyond the Dark Tetrad need to be developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]