Abstract
To avoid detection, those high on Dark Triad traits (i.e., narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism) may adopt a protean approach to interpersonal influence. We show the Dark Triad traits correlate with a number of unique tactics of influence (Study 1; N=259). We show this protean approach was insensitive to differences in targets of manipulation (Study 2; N=296). When forced to choose one tactic to solve different adaptive problems, the Dark Triad traits were correlated with unique tactical choices (Study 3; N=268). We show these associations are generally robust to controlling for the Big Five and participants' sex (Study 1 and 2). We discuss the theoretical implications of these findings for both life history and cheater-detection theories.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 521-526 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Personality and Individual Differences |
Volume | 52 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2012 |
Keywords
- Machiavellianism (psychology)
- narcissism
- personality disorders
- social influence