“I'll teach you differences”: Taxometric analysis of the Dark Triad, trait sadism, and the Dark Core of personality

Publication date: 1 May 2018 Source:Personality and Individual Differences, Volume 126 Author(s): Ulrich S. Tran, Bianca Bertl, Michael Kossmeier, Jakob Pietschnig, Stefan Stieger, Martin Voracek The Dark Triad of personality (Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy) is widely considered conceptually important for individual differences research into personality and interpersonal behavior. Recent research suggests to add trait sadism to its defining constructs (i.e., to form a Dark Tetrad), and that a single common dimension (the Dark Core) underlies these dark personality traits. Taxometric studies suggest the Dark Triad traits are dimensional (i.e., quantitative), but investigations on the facet level are lacking and sex differences in dark personality traits have not been considered. Utilizing widely-used scales, this study investigated the Dark Triad traits, sadism, as well as the Dark Core of personality, with taxometric methods on both the aggregate and facet level and separately among men and women (total N = 2463, 56% women, mean age: 41.4 years). Dark personality traits mostly were dimensional, on both the aggregate and the facet level, and for both sexes. The Dark Core appeared to be taxonic among men, but dimensional among women. Taxon members were characterized by uniformly elevated dark personality traits and younger age. Future studies might profitably investigate the incremental predictive validity of this identified taxon and focus on further s...

Source: Personality and Individual Differences - January 13, 2018 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research