Where the psychological adaptations hit the ecological road

Commentary on the title "Aggression and violence around the world: a model of Climate, aggression, and self-control in humans (CLASH) by P. Van Lange, M. Rinderu and B. Bushman. We argue that the target authors focus too much on adaptive behavioral responses and not enough on actual psychological adaptations. We suggest the Dark Triad traits may represent facultative, psychological adaptations sensitive to seasonal variance and food shortages. We document that shorter distances from the equator are linked to higher national narcissism levels, whereas longer distances are associated with higher national-level machiavellianism. Dark Triad traits may serve as critical survival mechanisms when prioritizing oneself over and/or at the cost of others.