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This study investigates the Dark Triad in relation to the Big Five facets and the putative redundancy of Machiavellianism and psychopathy. A sample of 442 participants completed measures of narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy, as well as the Big Five. Bivariate correlations and multivariate regression analyses with age, sex, and facets of the Big Five as predictors of each dark trait were examined. We found that 13 of the correlations between the Big Five facets and Machiavellianism and psychopathy differed significantly (p

Three hundred and fifty-three adult participants completed self-report measures assessing depression, the putative “Big 5” personality factors, socially desirable responding, and a new scale intended to measure the propensity to engage in a self-defeating interpersonal style of behavior (the SELF-DISS; Atkinson & Vernon, 2018). Our goals were to see whether SELF-DISS scores would significantly predict depression and whether they would do so over and above the proposed “Big 5” trait constructs using online recruitment of participants from the general population at large. The recruitment method, although expeditious, necessarily resulted in the self-selection of participants, thereby raising the possibility that some sampling bias may have been incorporated into the study. Nevertheless, the results obtained clearly supported both predictions.

Our study examines attachment-related differences in the use of dating applications (dating apps). We collected online survey data regarding people’s attachment orientation and dating app preferences. People with a more anxious attachment orientation were more likely to report using dating apps than people lower in anxious attachment; people with a more avoidant attachment orientation were less likely to report using dating apps than people lower in avoidant attachment. Participants who used dating apps cited Tinder, OkCupid, and Plenty of Fish as those most commonly used. The most common reason people reported for using apps was to meet others, and the most common reason people reported for not using apps was difficulty trusting people online. Our findings suggest that individual differences in attachment may be relevant for understanding online behavior, and that dating apps might be a fruitful avenue for future research on attachment-related differences.

Severe trauma initiates a systemic inflammatory cascade and that involves early activation of complement and cleavage of C5 into C5a (anaphylatoxin) and C5b (C5b-9 membrane attack complex). We examined activation of C5 in non-human primate (NHP) models of hemorrhagic shock. Blood plasma concentrations of C5b-9 were significantly increased in NHPs in response to hemorrhage alone and were further increased with the addition of tissue trauma. The onset of increased C5 cleavage was accelerated in NHPs that experienced decompensated poly-traumatic hemorrhagic shock. Next, to identify an effective inhibitor of NHP C5 cleavage in vitro, as a first step in the development of a potential therapy, three inhibitors of human C5 cleavage and hemolysis were tested in vitro. NHP C5 cleavage and complement-mediated hemolysis were successfully inhibited by pre-treatment of serum samples with a small, inhibitory peptide RA101348. Commercially-available C5 inhibitory antibodies were found to exhibit species-specific efficacy in vitro. Quidel's A217 antibody demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of C5 cleavage and hemolysis in NHP samples, whereas LGM-Eculizumab only inhibited complement-mediated hemolysis in human samples. This study shows that complement activation in NHPs following experimental poly-traumatic hemorrhagic shock is consistent with clinical reports, and that cleavage of C5 and complement-mediated hemolysis can be effectively inhibited in vitro using a small peptide inhibitor. Taken together, these findings offer a clinically-relevant vehicle and a potential strategy for treatment of hemorrhagic shock with poly-traumatic injury.

The three socially malevolent personality traits, narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy, which make up the Dark Triad, were examined in relation to socially desirable responding and self-monitoring based on self-report responses from volunteer participants. Although the prediction that self-monitoring would be positively correlated with Machiavellianism was supported, self-monitoring had stronger positive correlations with narcissism and psychopathy. In addition, although the prediction that socially desirable responding would be positively correlated with narcissism was supported, larger significant negative correlations with both Machiavellianism and psychopathy were also found. Obtained results suggest that those scoring higher on more antagonistic traits are less concerned with social desirability.

The present study investigates whether self-esteem and entitlement moderate the relation between jealousy (cognitive, emotional, behavioral) and the Dark Triad (narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy). To test this question, 453 participants (311 females, 140 males, 2 unidentified) between the ages of 17 to 81 years (M = 33.19, SD = 10.32) completed the Multidimensional Jealousy Scale, the Short-D3, the Psychological Entitlement Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The interaction of self-esteem and Machiavellianism has an effect on cognitive jealousy and emotional jealousy, and the interaction of selfesteem and narcissism has an effect on behavioral jealousy. The interaction of entitlement and narcissism has an effect on emotional jealousy and behavioral jealousy, and the interaction of entitlement and psychopathy has an effect on cognitive jealousy. These findings identify dimensions of the Dark Triad and other personality traits that influence the propensity to experience different types of jealousy.

We examine the relationship between the general factor of personality (GFP) and emotional intelligence (EI) and specifically test the hypothesis that the GFP is a social effectiveness factor overlapping conceptually with EI. Presented is an extensive meta-analysis in which the associations between the GFP, extracted from the Big Five dimensions, with various EI measures is examined. Based on a total sample of k = 142 data sources (N = 36,268) the 2 major findings from the meta-analysis were (a) a large overlap between the GFP and trait EI (r ≈ .85); and (b) a positive, but more moderate, correlation with ability EI (r ≈ .28). These findings show that high-GFP individuals score higher on trait and ability EI, supporting the notion that the GFP is a social effectiveness factor. The findings also suggest that the GFP is very similar, perhaps even synonymous, to trait EI. (PsycINFO Database Record

This study investigated how vocational interests are related to the Dark Triad – a cluster of three socially malevolent personality traits that include Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy. Participants completed self-report measures of vocational interests, Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy. Narcissism correlated positively with the artistic, social, biology, and business interest factors and with many of their associated scales. Machiavellianism correlated negatively with the social, applied, and work style factors. Psychopathy correlated positively with the science, biology, and business interest factors, and was negatively correlated with the social and work style factors. The results expand the understanding of personality and vocational interests and support the perspective that the Dark Triad consists of three related yet different dimensions.

For decades, the Big 5 model of personality has dominated as one of the most popular and widely used models of personality. The current article reviews the development and prevalence of the Big 5 model and explores the position of other personality variables not (or not fully) encompassed by this model, to see what lies ‘beyond the Big 5’. We start by comparing the Big 5 to the alternative six-factor HEXACO model, the Supernumerary Personality Traits, and a psychobiological model of personality. We then discuss the Dark Tetrad traits, self-defeating interpersonal styles, and trait emotional intelligence as examples of narrower personality traits which predict outcomes over and above the Big 5. Comparisons between these different personality models and the extent to which other personality traits can predict different psychological outcomes will be used to address the discussion of whether the Big 5 is a sufficient measure of personality, or whether other personality variables need to be also considered for a more comprehensive model of personality. Areas of consideration for researchers investigating Big 5 personality will also be discussed.

Substance use is frequently perceived as a problematic behavior associated with negative social, psychological and physiological consequences. Despite the perception that substance use constitutes problematic behavior, previous literature on the personality characteristics of substance users is scarce. The majority of past research has focused on clinical samples as opposed to normative substance use among non-clinical samples. The current study investigated the relationship between the Dark Triad, reinforcement sensitivity and substance use. Participants consisted of 242 students (122 males and 120 females) from Western University ages 18 to 37 years (M = 18.85, SD = 2.05). Participants completed an online survey that included the Short Dark Triad, the BIS/BAS scales and a substance use questionnaire. Results revealed that all components of the Dark Triad were positively correlated with behavioral approach, psychopathy was negatively correlated with behavioral inhibition, psychopathy and narcissism were positively correlated with substance use, and behavioral inhibition was negatively correlated with substance use. Contrary to expectations, there was no significant mediation among the Dark Triad components, BAS and substance use. By identifying the personality traits of substance users, researchers can attempt to decrease the costs associated with substance use by developing prevention programs that target high-risk individuals.

The goal of the present investigation was to assess whether the Dark Triad traits (Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy) add significantly to the prediction of misconduct and the propensity to engage in high-stakes deception. Self-report scores were collected (n = 464) via the Short-D3 assessing the Dark Triad traits, the Comprehensive Misconduct Inventory measuring misconduct, and the Propensity to Lie Questionnaire investigating lying tendencies. Significant correlations were observed between nearly all variables, but in a multiple regression only psychopathy added significantly to the prediction of the misconduct factors. Further, only Machiavellianism was a significant predictor of high-stakes deception over and above the other predictors in the model.

The purpose of the present study was to explore the relationship between the General Factor of Personality (GFP) — a personality dimension proposed to be at the top of the personality hierarchy, and the Dark Triad personality dimensions — a cluster of three anti-social personality traits, including: Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism. A sample of 359 participants completed a measure of the Big 5 personality factors (openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism), a Machiavellianism scale, a measure of narcissism, and a measure of psychopathology. The GFP was extracted using a principal axis factor analysis of the Big Five factor scores. The GFP had significant negative correlations with Machiavellianism and psychopathy, but a non-significant correlation with narcissism. A subset of the sample completed a social desirability measure and partial correlations between the GFP and the Dark Triad, controlling for social desirability, were examined. Although the partial correlations were attenuated, the GFP was still significantly and negatively correlated with Machiavellianism and psychopathy and the non-significant correlation with narcissism remained. The results of this study provide further support for the concept of a meaningful pro-social GFP and for the Dark Dyad model (the exclusion of narcissism from the Dark Triad).

The present study examined the phenotypic, genetic, and environmental correlations between four humor styles (affiliative, self-enhancing, aggressive, and self-defeating) and loneliness in Australian adult twins. At the phenotypic level, the two adaptive humor style dimensions (affiliative and self-enhancing) were found to correlate negatively with loneliness and the two maladaptive humor style dimensions (aggressive and self-defeating) were found to have positive correlations with loneliness. Because both humor and loneliness were found to be heritable (ranging from 7% for loneliness to 35% for self-defeating humor style), bivariate genetic analyses were conducted. Significant genetic and unique environmental correlations were found between loneliness and humor styles with the exception of aggressive humor. These results indicate that the phenotypic association between loneliness and humor style arises from the influence of shared familial and unique environmental factors.

A previous meta-analysis (Van der Linden et al., Psychol Bull 143:36–52, 2017) showed that the General Factor of Personality (GFP) overlaps with ability as well as trait emotional intelligence (EI). The correlation between trait EI and the GFP was so high (ρ = 0.88) in that meta-analysis that these two may be considered virtually identical constructs. The present study builds on these findings by examining whether the strong phenotypic correlation between the GFP and trait EI has a genetic component. In a sample of monozygotic and dizygotic twins, the heritability estimates for the GFP and trait EI were 53 and 45%, respectively. Moreover, there was a strong genetic correlation of r =.90 between the GFP and trait EI. Additional analyses suggested that a substantial proportion of the genetic correlations reflects non-additive genetic effects (e.g., dominance and epistasis). These findings are discussed in light of evolutionary accounts of the GFP.

Background We endeavored to develop clinically translatable nonhuman primate (NHP) models of severe polytraumatic hemorrhagic shock. Methods NHPs were randomized into five severe pressure-targeted hemorrhagic shock (PTHS) ± additional injuries scenarios: 30-min PTHS (PTHS-30), 60-min PTHS (PTHS-60), PTHS-60 + soft tissue injury (PTHS-60+ST), PTHS-60+ST + femur fracture (PTHS-60+ST+FF), and decompensated PTHS+ST+FF (PTHS-D). Physiologic parameters were recorded and blood samples collected at five time points with animal observation through T = 24 h. Results presented as mean ± SEM; statistics: log transformation followed by two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni multiple comparisons, Wilcoxon nonparametric test for comparisons, and the Friedmans' one-way ANOVA; significance: P Results Percent blood loss was 40% ± 2, 59% ± 3, 52% ± 3, 49% ± 2, and 54% ± 2 for PTHS-30, PTHS-60, PTHS-60+ST, PTHS-60+ST+FF, and PTHS-D, respectively. All animals survived to T = 24 h except one in each of the PTHS-60 and PTHS-60+ST+FF groups and seven in the PTHS-D group. Physiologic, coagulation, and inflammatory parameters demonstrated increasing derangements with increasing model severity. Conclusion NHPs exhibit a high degree of resilience to hemorrhagic shock and polytrauma as evidenced by moderate perturbations in metabolic, coagulation, and immunologic outcomes with up to 60 min of profound hypotension regardless of injury pattern. Extending the duration of PTHS to the point of decompensation in combination with polytraumatic injury, evoked derangements consistent with those observed in severely injured trauma patients which would require ICU care. Thus, we have successfully established a clinically translatable NHP trauma model for use in testing therapeutic interventions to trauma.

The present study examined the phenotypic, genetic, and environmental correlations between four humor styles (affiliative, self-enhancing, aggressive, and self-defeating) and four dimensions of borderline personality disorder (affective instability, identity disturbance, negative relationships, self-harm) as well as a total borderline personality disorder score. Participants were 574 same-sex Australian adult twin pairs. At the phenotypic level, the two adaptive humor style dimensions (affiliative and self-enhancing) were found to correlate negatively with borderline personality and the two maladaptive humor style dimensions (aggressive and self-defeating) were found to have positive correlations with borderline personality. Bivariate genetic analyses demonstrated significant genetic, common environment, and unique environmental correlations. These results indicate that a large component of the phenotypic association between borderline personality disorder and humor style arises from the influence of shared familial and environmental factors associated with both phenotypes.

Phenotypic, genetic, and environmental correlations between various reaction time measures and intelligence were examined in a sample of six-year-old twin children (N = 530 individuals). Univariate genetic analyses conducted on the same-sex pairs (101 monozygotic (MZ) pairs and 132 same-sex dizygotic (DZ) pairs) demonstrated that the intelligence measure and four of the seven reaction time measures had a genetic component (ranging from 44% to 76%). At the phenotypic level, half of the reaction time measures had significant negative correlations with the intelligence measure. Bivariate genetic analyses revealed that only two of the observed phenotypic correlations could be explained by common genetic factors and that the remaining correlations were better explained by common environmental factors.

Research on the Dark Triad of personality has supported the notion that Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy represent distinct but related traits. This study investigated the relation between each of the Dark Triad traits and scores on the Interpersonal Guilt Questionnaire (IGQ: O’Connor, Berry, Weiss, Bush, & Sampson, 1997). Each of the Dark Triad traits was found to have significant negative associations with survival and omnipotent responsibility guilt. Interestingly, Machiavellianism and psychopathy were found to be positively associated with self-hate guilt, while narcissism was negatively correlated with self-hate. Rumination was found to mediate the relation between Machiavellianism and self-hate, whereas the relation between psychopathy and self-hate was only partially mediated by rumination. Multiple regression analyses revealed that narcissism, psychopathy, and rumination each significantly added to the prediction of self-hate guilt, Machiavellianism and narcissism added to the prediction of survival guilt, and psychopathy and rumination added to the prediction of omnipotent responsibility guilt. These results provide further support for the distinct but related nature of the Dark Triad. They also offer greater insight into the behaviours associated with these subclinical antisocial tendencies.

The phenotypic (observed), genetic, and environmental correlations were examined in a sample of adult twins between the four factors and global score of the trait emotional intelligence questionnaire (TEIQue) and the seven vocational interest factors of the Jackson Career Explorer (JCE). Multiple significant correlations were found involving the work style vocational interest factor (consisting of job security, stamina, accountability, planfulness, and interpersonal confidence) and the social vocational interest factor (which included interests in the social sciences, personal services, teaching, social services, and elementary education), both of which correlated significantly with all of the TEIQue variables (well-being, self-control, emotionality, sociability, and global trait EI). Following bivariate genetic analyses, most of the significant phenotypic correlations were found to also have significant genetic correlations as well as significant non-shared (unique) environmental correlations.

This article reports the first behavioral genetic study of relationships between alexithymia and four styles of humor: affiliative, self-enhancing, self-defeating, and aggressive. A total of 509 MZ pairs and 264 DZ pairs of twins completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20) and the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ). Consistent with our predictions, alexithymia correlated negatively with affiliative and self-enhancing humor and positively with self-defeating and aggressive humor. All but one of the 16 phenotypic correlations that we report are significant at the 0.01 level. Also consistent with our predictions, the phenotypic correlations between alexithymia and humor styles were primarily attributable to correlated genetic factors and to a lesser extent to correlated non-shared environmental factors. Correlated shared environmental factors had no significant effect. Implications and limitations of this study are discussed.

The relationship between self-report abilities and measured intelligence was examined at both the phenotypic (zero-order) level as well as at the genetic and environmental levels. Twins and siblings (N = 516) completed a timed intelligence test and a self-report ability questionnaire, which has previously been found to produce 10 factors, including: politics, interpersonal relationships, practical tasks, intellectual pursuits, academic skills, entrepreneur/business, domestic skills, vocal abilities, and creativity. At the phenotypic level, the correlations between the ability factor scores and intelligence ranged from 0.01 to 0.42 (between self-report academic abilities and verbal intelligence). Further analyses found that some of the phenotypic relationships between self-report ability scores and measured intelligence also had significant correlations at the genetic and environmental levels, suggesting that some of the observed relationships may be due to common genetic and/or environmental factors.

The present study reports on the development and validation of the Vices and Virtues Scales (VAVS), which assesses individual differences in the propensity to engage in the seven deadly sins. Item-level analyses, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted on two independent samples of adults. Results indicated that all items composing the scale are psychometrically sound, and some evidence was found in support of the measure’s seven-factor structure. Further analyses of the VAVS subscales and the Dark Triad traits revealed significant positive correlations between nearly all traits assessed. Implications of these findings for the Dark Triad cluster and the overall comprehensiveness of contemporary personality frameworks are discussed.

Collectively referred to as the Dark Triad; Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy are subclinical personality traits that have been associated with a number of antisocial behaviours. The present study investigated the relation between each of these traits, vengefulness, empathy, and trait forgiveness. The sample consisted of 219 undergraduate students from Western University in Canada. It was found that Machiavellianism and psychopathy were positively correlated with emotional vengeance, but negatively correlated with justice-fairness and justice-legal decisions. Machiavellianism and psychopathy were also significantly negatively correlated with trait forgivingness, perspective taking, and empathic concern. Multiple regression analyses revealed that Machiavellianism, psychopathy, narcissism, and empathy added significantly to the prediction of trait forgivingness. Empathic concern and perspective taking were each found to partially mediate the relation between Machiavellianism and forgivingness, and between psychopathy and forgivingness. However, when both mediators were entered at once, only empathic concern significantly mediated the relation between Machiavellianism and forgivingness. The implications of these findings are discussed.

The Schedule for Nonadaptive and Adaptive Personality full-length (SNAP) and short versions (SNAP-SRF and SNAP-ORF) were developed as measures of normal-range and more pathological personality traits. This study investigated the validity of the SNAP Brief Self-Description Rating Form (SNAP-BSRF), an alternative version of the SNAP Self-Description Rating Form (SNAP-SRF) revised for further brevity. The scales of the SNAP-BSRF showed good convergence with the SNAP-SRF and the SNAP Other-Description Rating Form (SNAP-ORF) scales. A three-factor structure consistent with extant literature was found for the SNAP-BSRF using an exploratory structural equation modeling approach. Scales from the SNAP-BSRF showed meaningful associations with self-reported internalizing symptoms. Results suggest that this new version is a reasonable substitute for the SNAP-SRF and will be useful when a very brief measure of adaptive and maladaptive personality is needed.

The present study examined the phenotypic, genetic, and environmental correlations between a general factor of personality (GFP) and four humor styles: affiliative, self-enhancing, aggressive, and self-defeating. Participants were 571 same-sex adult twin pairs. Individuals completed the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ) and a short form of the NEO personality scale (from which the GFP was extracted). The GFP was found to be heritable with an estimated value of .31. At the phenotypic level, the GFP was found to correlate significantly with the HSQ scales; positively with affiliative and self-enhancing, and negatively with aggressive and self-defeating. Three of the four phenotypic correlations were found to be attributable to correlated genetic factors, suggesting that these dimensions of humor styles and the GFP may have a common genetic factor.

The present study is the first to assess phenotypic correlations between alexithymia and the Dark Triad traits of personality in a community sample, as well as the common genetic and environmental factors underlying these correlations. Participants were 232 North American adult twin pairs who completed the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, the Self-Report Psychopathy Scale, the MACH-IV, and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Results revealed that alexithymia correlates significantly and positively with psychopathy and Machiavellianism, and negatively with narcissism. Subsequent bivariate behavioral genetic analysis demonstrated that these phenotypic correlations were primarily attributable to common genetic and common non-shared environmental factors. The implication of these findings regarding the maladaptive functions of alexithymia within the antisocial realm of behavior and the need for replication are discussed.

The current study investigated relations between the perceived ability to deceive and the Dark Triad personality traits in two samples. In study 1, the sample consisted of 1074 participants (329 male, 745 female) aged 17–71 years (M = 22.96, SD = 6.92). Participants completed the perceived ability to deceive scale, in which they were asked to estimate the percentage of people who are worse at lying than they are in a number of situations. Participants also completed the Short-D3 – a measure of the Dark Triad personality traits. As expected, correlational analyses demonstrated that Machiavellianism was most highly correlated with the perceived ability to deceive (r = .41), followed by psychopathy (r = .35), and narcissism (r = .33). These findings were replicated in study 2, which consisted of 1448 undergraduate students (498 males, 947 females, 3 other), aged 18–43 (M = 18.35, SD = 1.77). Study 2 also investigated the association of the Dark Triad and perceived ability to deceive with dimensions of the Big Five model of personality. Implications are discussed.

Neutrophilic inflammation is a mediator of morbidity and mortality in response to hemorrhagic shock. Although injury-induced neutrophil margination has long been observed, the nature of neutrophils' role in the "second hit" paradigm remains to be fully elucidated. We sought to extensively characterize neutrophil phenotype and functionality in response to severe hemorrhage in non-human primates (NHPs).NHPs (n = 8) were subjected to severe hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation. Blood was obtained at baseline (T = 0 min), end of shock (T = 60 min), end of resuscitation (T = 180 min), T = 360 min, and 24 h (T = 1440 min). Neutrophils were quantified by complete blood count and flow cytometry. IL-8 and IL-10 production was determined by intracellular flow cytometry. Oxidation of dihydrorhodamine-123 (DHR-123) was used to determine neutrophil oxidative bursts (untreated), priming (+fMLP), and burst capacity (+PMA/ionomycin) via microplate reader ex vivo. Data are reported as mean ± SEM; statistical significance was measured using repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni adjustment. P 0.05 is considered significant.CD45CD11bCD16 neutrophils doubled postinjury (P 0.0001); this was due to activated IL-8/IL-10 neutrophils that increased in frequency in relation to resting IL-8IL-10 cells. At 24 h, the proportions of activated to resting neutrophils returned to baseline levels. Resuscitative measures initially decreased neutrophil oxidative output; however, oxidative bursts, priming, and burst capacity were significantly increased at 24 h (P 0.0025, 0.0124, and 0.0118, respectively).These results demonstrate an acute expansion and phenotypic activation of circulating neutrophils postinjury followed by a return to homeostatic proportions within 24 h; paradoxically, phenotypically "resting" neutrophils at 24 h have significantly higher oxidative potential, predisposing for exaggerated inflammatory responses. These data are consistent with clinical literature and provide important functional insight into neutrophil-mediated shock pathology.

A General Factor of Personality (GFP) was extracted in two studies in order to examine its relationship with political variables. Only one of nine phenotypic associations between the GFP and variables measuring left–right political orientations was significant, which suggests that people who score highly on the GFP are not typically “left” or “right” in political orientation. However, respondents scoring highly on the GFP were somewhat more likely to take an interest in politics and tended to have higher levels of education, financial satisfaction and income. A heritability analysis conducted to determine whether the GFP and political variables share a common genetic influence produced heritability estimates of .49 (.29 to .58) and .43 (.23 to .51) for the GFP, but the lack of significant phenotypic correlations between the GFP and measures of left–right differences precluded a search for a common genetic factor.

Presently the conventional structure of personality, the Five-Factor Model (FFM), has faced criticism for inadequately capturing the full range of existing traits, particularly those reflecting antisocial behavior. The FFM has also not received sufficient application of genetically informed analyses to its extraction and validation. We explored these criticisms, and carried out four behavioral genetic studies which employed the Dark Triad personality cluster as a microcosmic representation of the antisocial personality domain, to assess the comprehensiveness of the FFM and the fit of socially malevolent traits within it. Results from these studies revealed significant phenotypic, genetic, and environmental correlations between the Dark Triad traits and variables measured by the NEO Personality Inventory, the Supernumerary Personality Inventory, the Defining Issues Test-Version 2, and the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire. It is concluded that the FFM does not provide a complete model of personality and that behavior genetic approaches to the study of individual differences can contribute to a more comprehensive theory.

The current study is the first to directly investigate relationships between the Dark Triad personality traits and bullying behaviours. We also sought to design a reliable measure of bullying for use with an adult sample. The sample consisted of 657 participants (203 males; 454 females), aged 18 to 70 (M = 23.1, SD = 8.65). Participants completed the Short-D3, a measure of the Dark Triad personality traits, as well as a Bullying Questionnaire which was constructed for this study. Correlational analyses demonstrated that psychopathy was most strongly related to bullying, followed by Machiavellianism, and narcissism. However, our predictions for the differential correlations between the Dark Triad facets and bullying type were generally not supported. Implications are discussed.

Two hundred undergraduate students completed paper-and-pencil measures of the Dark Triad (Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy) and the Humor Styles Questionnaire, which taps two adaptive (affiliative and self-enhancing) and two maladaptive (aggressive and self-defeating) styles of humor. The first purpose of the study was to replicate relationships between these variables reported by Veselka et al. (2010). The second purpose was to expand on their results by investigating relationships between several sub-factors of the Dark Triad (in addition to global scores) and the humor styles. Results provided substantial replication of Veselka et al. at the global level and, at the sub-factor level, provided additional insights into the potential role of adaptive and maladaptive humor styles in the personality dynamics of individuals characterized by the various facets of the Dark Triad.

The Dark Triad of personality, comprising Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy, was investigated in relation to the Supernumerary Personality Inventory (SPI) traits, because both sets of variables are predominantly distinct from the Big Five model of personality. Correlational and principal factor analyses were conducted to assess the relations between the Dark Triad and SPI traits. Multivariate behavioral genetic model-fitting analyses were also conducted to determine the correlated genetic and/or environmental underpinnings of the observed phenotypic correlations. Participants were 358 monozygotic and 98 same-sex dizygotic adult twin pairs from North America. As predicted, results revealed significant correlations between the Dark Triad and most SPI traits, and these correlations were primarily attributable to common genetic and non-shared environmental factors, except in the case of Machiavellianism, where shared environmental effects emerged. Three correlated factors were extracted during joint factor analysis of the Dark Triad and SPI traits, as well as a heritable general factor of personality — results that clarified the structure of the Dark Triad construct. It is concluded that the Dark Triad represents an exploitative and antisocial construct that extends beyond the Big Five model and shares a theoretical space with the SPI traits.

The relationship between self-report abilities and personality was examined at both the phenotypic (zero-order) level as well as at the genetic and environmental levels. Twins and siblings (N = 516) completed self-report ability and personality questionnaires. A factor analysis of the ability questions revealed 10 factors, including politics, interpersonal relationships, practical tasks, intellectual pursuits, academic skills, entrepreneur/business, domestic skills, vocal abilities, and creativity. Five personality factors were examined, including extraversion, conscientiousness, dependence, aggression, and openness. At the phenotypic level, the correlations between the ability factor scores and personality factor scores ranged from 0 to .60 (between political abilities and extraversion). The relationship between the two areas at the genetic level was found to range between –.01 and .60; the environmental correlations ranged from –.01 to .48. The results suggest that some of the self-report ability scores are related to self-report personality, and that some of these observed relationships may have a common genetic basis while others are from a common environmental factor.

This study investigated phenotypic correlations between mental toughness and humor styles, as well as the common genetic and environmental effects underlying these correlations. Participants were 201 adult twin pairs from North America. They completed the Humor Styles Questionnaire, assessing individual differences in two positive (affiliative, self-enhancing) and two negative (aggressive, self-defeating) humor styles. They also completed the MT48, measuring individual differences in global mental toughness and its eight factors (Commitment, Control, Emotional Control, Control over Life, Confidence, Confidence in Abilities, Interpersonal Confidence, Challenge). Positive correlations were found between the positive humor styles and all of the mental toughness factors, with all but one reaching significance. Conversely, negative correlations were found between all mental toughness factors and the negative humor styles, with the mental toughness factors of Control, Emotional Control, Confidence, Confidence in Abilities, and Interpersonal Confidence exhibiting significant correlations. Subsequent behavioral genetic analyses revealed that these phenotypic correlations were primarily attributable to common genetic and common non-shared environmental factors. The implications of these findings regarding the potential effects of humor styles on wellbeing, and the possible selective use of humor by mentally tough individuals are discussed.

This study reports the first behavioral genetic investigation of a nonverbal measure of the Big Five and its relationship with a traditional verbal measure. Participants (N = 592 adult twins) completed the Five-Factor Nonverbal Personality Questionnaire and the Revised NEO Personality Inventory. Monozygotic twins were more alike on all domains of the Big Five as assessed by both sets of scales than were dizygotic twins, and univariate behavioral genetic model-fitting showed that individual differences in both the nonverbal and verbally assessed traits were entirely attributable to additive genetic and non-shared environmental factors. Positive phenotypic correlations were found between the same personality factors assessed by the verbal and nonverbal measures and these correlations were themselves entirely attributable to correlated genetic and correlated non-shared environmental factors. The results provide evidence for the validity of the newly-devised FF-NPQ.

We investigated the relationships between trait emotional intelligence (trait EI; TEIQue-SF) and the Big Five personality dimensions (NEO-FFI) in two Dutch samples. Results were consistent with studies conducted with the full forms of the inventories in North America and Britain. Neuroticism was the strongest correlate of trait EI in both samples, followed by Extraversion, Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, and Openness. Regression analyses confirmed that the overlap between trait EI and the higher-order personality dimensions exceeds 50%, even when the constructs are operationalized via shortened assessments. These results are not only fully in line with trait EI theory, but also support the cross-cultural validity of the TEIQue-SF, and its suitability for the rapid assessment of global trait EI and its four constituent factors. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.

This article provides a behaviour genetic heritability analysis of several political issues, including social and economic conservatism, general interest in politics, attitudes toward the major Canadian federal parties, federal party identification and national vote choice. Substantial genetic effects were found for four of six political attitude scales, with heritability values ranging from 41 per cent to 73 per cent. Genetic effects are also reported for several individual items (including feelings toward the major federal parties, party identification and vote choice), with heritabilities from 33 per cent to 62 per cent. The implications of these results for conventional political analyses are explored. Also presented is a theoretical interpretation of political heritability that is derived from an evolutionary perspective which suggests that political personalities or temperaments have evolved that are analogous to the heritable personality structures proposed by psychologists.Résumé.Cet article propose une analyse sur l'héritabilité de la génétique du comportement concernant plusieurs questions politiques, y compris le conservatisme social et économique, l'intérêt général pour la politique, les attitudes envers les principaux partis fédéraux canadiens, l'identification à un parti et le choix de vote au niveau national. Des effets génétiques notables ont été recensés pour quatre des échelles politiques d'attitude sur six, les taux d'héritabilité s'étendant de 41 pour cent à 73 pour cent. Des effets génétiques ont également été recensés pour plusieurs autres éléments étudiés (y compris les sentiments envers les principaux partis fédéraux, l'identification à un parti et le choix de vote), les taux d'héritabilité allant cette fois-ci de 33 pour cent à 62 pour cent. Cette étude explore l'incidence de ces résultats sur des analyses politiques conventionnelles. Il s'agit aussi d'une interprétation théorique de l'héritabilité politique dérivant d'une perspective évolutionnaire, qui suggère que les personnalités ou les tempéraments politiques ont évolué et que ces derniers sont analogues aux structures de personnalité transmissibles proposées par les psychologues.

The present study is the first behavioral genetic investigation of relationships between the Dark Triad of personality — Machiavellianism, narcissism, and subclinical psychopathy — and moral development. Participants were 154 monozygotic twin pairs and 82 same-sex dizygotic twin pairs. Higher scores on Machiavellianism and psychopathy were positively correlated with low levels of moral development; high psychopathy scores also correlated negatively with high levels of moral development. Individual differences in lower levels of moral development were attributable to genetic and nonshared environmental factors but, very interestingly, individual differences in the highest levels of moral development showed no genetic basis but were entirely attributable to shared and nonshared environmental factors. Finally, correlations between the Dark Triad and moral development variables showed no genetic basis while correlations among the moral development variables were variously attributable to correlated genetic and correlated environmental factors.

Research on materialism has been conducted from numerous theoretical perspectives. Of particular interest has been an examination of environmental factors and situational paradigms that promote materialistic values. Conversely, empirical behavior genetic studies exploring possible genetic contributions to materialism are nonexistent in the literature. The purpose of this study was to examine genetic and environmental contributions to individual differences in materialism using the material values scale [ Richins, 2004 ]. A twin study paradigm employing 240 pairs of same-sex adult twins was used. Previous research has suggested a 40–45% heritable component for a wide variety of personality traits, with similar results reported for attitudes [ Olson, Vernon, Harris, & Jang, 2001 ]. Unexpectedly, in the current study, individual differences in overall materialism and two of its three components were found to be entirely attributable to environmental factors shared and unshared between siblings. Only materialistic-happiness showed any genetic influence. It is proposed that future research focus on trying to identify those environmental factors that contribute to materialistic values.

The present study is the first behavioural genetic (BG) investigation of mental toughness, as measured by the 48-item mental toughness (MT48) questionnaire, and the first BG investigation of relationships between mental toughness and the Big-5 factors of personality. Participants were 219 pairs of adult monozygotic and dizygotic twins from across North America. Twin study methodology was used to determine the extent to which genes and/or environmental factors contributed to individual differences in mental toughness and also to determine the genetic and/or environmental basis of any relationship between mental toughness and personality. Univariate BG analyses revealed that individual differences in mental toughness (as well as in personality) were largely attributable to genetic and nonshared environmental factors. Bivariate BG analyses revealed that phenotypic correlations between mental toughness and personality were largely attributable to common genetic and common nonshared environmental factors.

This article reports the first studies to investigate the genetic and environmental components of correlations between humor styles and trait emotional intelligence. In two independent adult-twin samples, significant phenotypic correlations were found between four humor styles (affiliative, self-enhancing, aggressive, and self-defeating) and five trait emotional intelligence (EI) variables (well-being, self-control, emotionality, sociability, and global trait EI). These observed phenotypic correlations were themselves found to be largely attributable to correlated genetic and correlated nonshared environmental factors.