From an evolutionary perspective, “dark” personality traits are argued to comprise a coordinated system of co-adapted traits that facilitate exploitive, manipulative, and aggressive strategies to vie for valued social and reproductive resources. Three quantitative studies were conducted to examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between dark personality characteristics with bullying (Study 1), delinquency and dating (Study 2), and status-striving (Study 3) in adolescents aged 15–18 (Studies 1–2) and adults aged 18–61 (Study 3). In Study 1, using random-intercept cross-lagged panel modeling in a sample of N = 514 adolescents from ages 15–18 (Grades 10–12), Machiavellianism and psychopathy (but not narcissism) shared significant between-person associations with bullying. Within-person cross-lagged relations supported both disposition- (e.g., Machiavellianism at Grade 10  bullying at Grade 11) and perpetration-driven pathways (e.g., bullying at Grade 11  narcissism at Grade 12). In Study 2, cross-lagged panel modeling with the same sample as Study 1 revealed that secondary (i.e., impulsivity), but not primary (i.e., callous-unemotionality), psychopathy as well as delinquency were positively correlated with being in a current dating relationship at Grade 10. An indirect effect was found, whereby secondary psychopathy at Grade 10 positively predicted delinquency at Grade 11, which then predicted being a dating relationship one year later. In Study 3, path analysis with a sample of N = 516 adults aged 18–61 demonstrated that narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy positively predicted dominance status-striving, whereas only narcissism positively predicted prestige. Indirect aggression mediated the positive associations between psychopathy and sadism with dominance status-striving. Findings from the current dissertation indicate that dark personality traits are dynamically related to bullying and delinquency in youth, as well as aggression in adults, which is of relevance to educators, clinicians, and researchers looking to curb problematic behaviour that can carry significant personal and interpersonal harm.

Thesis (M.A. ( Clinical Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2013 / This study investigated the relationship between the ‘dark triad’ personality traits and risky sexual behaviour (sociosexuality), and the effect of gender on the relationship. Participants consisted of two hundred and twenty-two (222) University of Limpopo students. Correlation analysis results indicate that, among males, primary psychopathy is positively associated with overall sociosexuality and secondary psychopathy is negatively associated with the behavioural component of sociosexualiy. Primary, secondary and overall psychopathy was positively related to risky sexual behaviour (sociosexuality). However, Machiavellianism, narcissism and overall psychopathy were not related to all dimensions of sociosexuality. Regression analysis results revealed that very few ‘dark triad’ personality traits have the capacity to predict risky sexual behaviour (sociosexuality). High risk socio-sexual behavioural features were predicted by the ‘dark triad’ personality traits mostly among females than among males. There were comparatively more factors associated with risky sexual behaviour among females than males in this sample. Generally, the ‘dark triad’ personality traits varied in relating with features of risky sexual behaviour. The nature of the relationship of ‘dark triad’ personality traits depends on the particular type of risky sexual behaviour. This is contrary to previous empirical findings that suggest that, when measured in a normal sample, correlates of the ‘dark triad’ personality traits will be the same. Recommendations were made on the basis of the results. Key words: ‘dark triad’, narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, sociosexuality.

Most previous research on workplace mistreatment has proceeded under the assumption that the various forms of mistreatment are uniformly perceived as negative by recipients. Abusive supervision is one form of mistreatment that has rarely ever been examined through a lens of ambiguity. The question many researchers have failed to ask is whether it is reality that every questionable act labeled as abusive is truly abuse, or such perceptions vary across individuals. And for the individuals perceiving the act (the target), what individual differences are influencing their judgement? The purpose of the study was to explore the influence of individual differences on the perception of abusive supervision in the workplace. The study required 134 participants to fill out a series of questionnaires based on their personality traits. They also read a series of 15 vignettes/scenarios based on Tepper’s abusive supervision scale to decide whether they found the behavior highlighted to be abusive or not abusive. The results indicated that although no significant correlations were present for overall abuse, the traits of Machiavellianism and Narcissism did show to be predictors of overt abuse, and conscientiousness was a predictor of covert abuse. Variability in perceptions of the individual vignettes were also found among each trait. In addition, the means of overall, overt, and covert abuse all partially supported the notion that abusive acts can be ambiguous.

With the explosion of social media, consumers are gaining control in social reach and can utilize online platforms to create and share misleading information when doing so helps to meet an end. This dissertation, consisting of three separate essays, represents an attempt to address how misleading information is created, how it is disseminated, and how it can be eliminated. Essay One (Chapter 2) uses a mixed-method approach to explore the Dark Triad, proactivity, and vigilantism in driving self-created misleading information sharing. Additionally, this essay introduces a dual-process model of inoculation theory to the marketing and consumer literature that shows how consumers autoinoculate when building justification to engage in malicious behavior. This process includes both automatic and analytical components that initiate a Negative Cascade. Without a larger number of posts, these initial messages may be overlooked. However, herd inoculation can develop when a message begins to sway larger groups. Essay Two (Chapter 3) determines that authentic messages from the original poster are most believable and most likely to initiate a Negative Cascade. This confirmation through mere exposure can then initiate herd inoculation as it flows to other consumers and develops further credibility. The implicit bystander effect is active when in the presence of larger groups. Findings suggest herd inoculation may go unbroken since posters exposed to a positive counter-cascade are less likely to both participate in a forum and post positive messages. Essay Three (Chapter 4) shows that when a consumer shares a message that develops into a Negative Cascade, additional effort is required to halt the consumer herd inoculation. The studies uncover the need for an overt response from the original poster to stop future sharing of misleading information and the role of brand-enacted quarantines in the prevention of the autoinoculation of consumer vigilantes. This dissertation shows how one message can become a much bigger problem for a brand when misinformation spreads. Insights within the dissertation provide numerous outlets for future research and numerous tools and recommendations for both academics and practitioners that hope to understand how misleading information is created, disseminated, and can be eliminated.

True crime has become a stimulating genre that fascinates viewers with its captivating mystery, murder, and violence. Documentaries and podcasts spotlight the cruel occurrences based on real incidents. This study incorporates clinical and social psychology to determine personality traits associated with true crime consumption. Participants were asked to complete a survey that included questions about their true crime viewership and The Dark Triad Scale, which measures psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism. The results of this study reveal that true crime viewers possess significantly higher levels of narcissism and Machiavellianism but not psychopathy. This research may contribute to understanding the links between personality characteristics and attraction to violent acts.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether differences were found in occurrence of three personality traits from the Dark Triad, Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy, in regards to students within different educations in universities and colleges in Sweden. Previous research and findings have shown that students with different educations tend to show traits from the Dark Triad of varying degrees. Data to the study was collected through a self-assessment survey named Short Dark Triad (SD3). The survey was translated to Swedish, then sent to 22 different educations at 33 Swedish universities and colleges. 1055 participants were gathered in the study with a distribution of 709 women and 346 men. The results were mostly supported by previous research, however a few results were not supported by previous research. For example, economy students did not get higher scores on Machiavellianism when compared to students at law and political science.

Syftet med studien var att undersöka om det gick att finna skillnader i förekomst av personlighetsdrag från den mörka triaden, det vill säga, machiavellism, narcissism och psykopati mellan studenter inom olika utbildningar på högskole- och universitetsnivå i Sverige. Tidigare forskning visar att studenter på utbildningar inom olika ämnen tenderar att uppvisa drag från mörka triaden i olika hög utsträckning. Data till studien samlades in genom att en enkät med självskattningstest Short Dark Triad (SD3) översatt till svenska skickades ut till totalt 22 olika ämnen och utbildningar vid 33 av Sveriges lärosäten. Totalt hade studien 1055 deltagare fördelat på 709 kvinnor och 346 män. Studiens resultat visade flertalet signifikanta skillnader gällande alla de tre personlighetsdragen mellan utbildningarna. Resultaten stämde i stora delar överens med tidigare forskning. Ett resultat som dock gick emot tidigare forskning var att ekonomistudenter inte fick högre poäng på machiavellism jämfört med studenter som läser juridik eller statsvetenskap. / The purpose of this study was to examine whether differences were found in occurrence of three personality traits from the Dark Triad, Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy, in regard to students within different educations in universities and colleges in Sweden. Previous research and findings have shown that students with different educations tend to show traits from the Dark Triad of varying degrees. Data to the study was collected through a self-assessment survey named Short Dark Triad (SD3). The survey was translated to Swedish, then sent to 22 different educations at 33 Swedish universities and colleges. 1055 participants were gathered in the study with a distribution of 709 women and 346 men. The results were mostly supported by previous research, however a few results were not supported by previous research. For example, economy students did not get higher scores on Machiavellianism when compared to students at law and political science.

Med hjälp av personlighetstester och genom att känna till individers personlighet har forskning visat att man i viss mån kan förutsäga beteende och upplevd mental hälsa. Föreliggande studie syftade till att undersöka om och hur personlighetsdraget agreeableness (svenskans välvillighet) samverkar med upplevt välmående hos personer med en ledarroll. I en ledarroll förväntas personen kunna hantera beslutsfattande och konfrontationer. Furnham, Richards och Paulhus (2013) menar att Dark Triad, socialt avvikande personlighetsdrag, är en förlängning av agreeableness. Därför användes Dark Triad i studien och även för att eventuellt finna ytterligare samband med välmående i rollen som ledare. Mätinstrument som användes var IPIP-NEO-120 (α=.87) utifrån Big Five teorin vilken är den vanligaste teorin bland forskning om personlighet. För att mäta Dark Triad användes Dirty Dozen (α=.86). För att mäta välmående användes GHQ-12 (General Health Questionnaire) (α=.87). Studien utfördes med en online-enkät som besvarades av respondenter som har eller har haft en ledarposition (N=99). Respondenternas ålder varierade mellan 25-67, könsfördelningen var 54% män och 46% kvinnor. Insignifikanta resultat återfanns mellan agreeableness och upplevt välmående. Signifikanta resultat återfanns mellan Dark Triad och upplevt välmående (r=.22*) vilket vidare kan tolkas som att personer tenderar att må bättre om de besitter socialt avvikande personlighetsdrag. En rimlig slutsats av resultatet är därmed att det inte går att predicera hur välmående upplevs hos personer med en ledarroll med hjälp av agreeableness, dock i viss mån med hjälp av Dark Triad. / With the help of personality tests and by knowing the individual's personality, research has shown that it's possible to predict behavior and perceived mental health to some extent. The present study aimed to examine whether and how the personality trait agreeableness relates to perceived well-being among leaders. Furnham, Richards and Paulhus (2013) argue that Dark Triad, socially deviant personality traits, is an extension of agreeableness. Therefore Dark Triad was used in this study and in order to possibly obtain more connections for perceived well-being. Instruments used were IPIP-NEO-120 (α=.87), based on the Big Five theory, the most common theory among personality research. To measure Dark Triad traits Dirty Dozen (α=.86) was used. To measure well-being GHQ-12 (General Health Questionnaire) (α=.87) was used. The study was conducted by an online survey that was answered by respondents who have or have had a leader position (N=99). Respondents age ranged from 25-67, the gender distribution was 54% male and 46% female. Insignificant results were found between agreeableness and perceived well-being. Significant results were found between Dark Triad and perceived well-being (r=.22*), which is further interpreted to mean that people tend to feel better if they possess deviant personality traits, and particularly narcissism. A reasonable conclusion from the study is that it's not possible, based on our sample, to predict how well-being is perceived in the role of leader with agreeableness but to some extent with the help of Dark Triad.

Emotionell intelligens har studerats under flertalet år, i olika länder, och har definierats på olika sätt. Egenskapen emotionell intelligens består av fyra dimensioner; emotionality, self-control, well-being och sociability, och mäts genom mätinstrumentet TEIQue-SF. TEIQue-SF har uppnått god validitet som mätverktyg på olika språk, och valideras för första gången på svenska genom denna studie. Tidigare forskning har uppvisat flertalet samband mellan egenskapen emotionell intelligens (EI), personlighet och arbetsprestation. Dessa tillsammans har dock inte undersökts i Sverige. Syftet med att genomföra denna studie var att undersöka sambanden mellan Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire Short Form (TEIQ-SF), Mini-International Personality Inventory Pool-6 (Mini-IPIP6), Short Dark Triad (SD3) och Individual Work Performance Questionnaire (IWPQ) ytterligare, samt att ta reda på vilka personlighetsdrag och dimensioner inom självupplevd individuell arbetsprestation som bäst förklarar variansen inom TEIQue-SFs dimensioner. Studien genomfördes som en tvärsnittsstudie med 228 svenska deltagare (M = 34 år, SD = 12.6, range 16-71 år, 66% kvinnor) med genomsnittlig arbetslivserfarenhet på 14 år (SD = 11.5). Förväntat resultat var att neuroticism skulle korrelera negativt med TEIQue-SF fyra dimensioner, vilket uppnåddes även i denna studie. Positiva samband med Task performance och Contextual performance fanns mellan samtliga dimensioner av EI. Regressionsanalyser visade även att neuroticism hade negativt samband vid förklaring av varians i samtliga dimensioner tillhörande TEIQue-SF. En preliminär slutsats är att TEIQue-SF visat på teoretiskt och empiriskt rimliga samband med relevanta variabler, och kan anses vara validerat bland yngre personer med relativt hög utbildningsnivå. / Emotional intelligence has been defined differently throughout studies for many years in several countries. The trait emotional intelligence consists of four dimensions; emotionality, self-control, well-being and sociability, and is measured by the TEIQue-SF measuring instrument. TEIQue-SF has achieved good validity as a measurement tool in different languages and is now validated in Swedish through this study. Previous research has shown liaisons between the emotional intelligence (EI), personality and work performance. However, these together have not been investigated in Sweden. The purpose of this study was to investigate correlations between Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire Short Form (TEIQ-SF), Mini-International Personality nventory Pool-6 (Mini-IPIP6), Short Dark Triad (SD3) and Individual Work Performance Questionnaire (IWPQ), and to find out which personality traits and dimensions within self-perceived individual work performance best explain the variance within TEIQue-SF dimensions. The study was conducted as a cross-sectional study with 228 Swedish participants (M = 34 years, SD = 12.6, range 16-71 years, 66% women) with an average work experience of 14 years (SD = 11.5). Expected result was that neuroticism would correlate negatively with TEIQue-SF four dimensions, which was also achieved in this study. Positive correlation with Task Performance and Contextual Performance was found between all dimensions of EI. Regression analysis also showed that neuroticism had a negative relation to explanation of variance in all imensions of TEIQue-SF. A preliminary conclusion is that TEIQue-SF has shown theoretical and empirically reasonable relation to relevant variables and can be considered validated among younger people with relatively high educational levels.

En utmaning för företag runtom hela världen är individuella arbetsprestationer, vilket har lett till omfattande forskning kring ämnet. Personlighet har visat sig vara en av de faktorer som har betydande roll för individuella arbetsprestationer. Syftet med föreliggande studie var att undersöka sambandet mellan personlighet och självupplevd individuell arbetsprestation samt att undersöka vilket personlighetsdrag som kan förklara mest av variationen av den självupplevda individuella arbetsprestationen. En kvantitativ studie gjordes med en webbaserad enkät innehållandes totalt 75 frågor. Mätinstrumenten Mini-IPIP6, SD3 och IWPQ användes för att mäta personlighet och självupplevd individuell arbetsprestation utifrån självskattningsskalor. Totalt deltog 302 personer i studien (M = 44 år, SD = 13.2, range 20 - 74 år, 72% kvinnor). Det enda kravet för att få deltaga i studien var att respondenten hade någon form av yrkeslivserfarenhet på minst 50% under minst 3 månaders tid. Den genomsnittliga arbetslivserfarenheten uppgick till M = 22.4 år (SD = 13.2, range 0.7 - 51 år). Resultaten visade att narcissism hade störst betydelse för självupplevd kontextuell prestation och uppgiftsbaserad prestation medans psykopati visade sig ha störst betydelse för självupplevd kontraproduktivt arbetsbeteende. Vår slutsats är att personlighet är en prediktor för självupplevd individuell arbetsprestation. / A challenge for companies around the world is individual work performance, which has led to extensive research on the subject. Personality has proven to be one of the factors that play a significant role in individual work performance. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between personality and self-perceived individual work performance and to investigate which personality traits can explain most of the variations of the self-perceived individual work performance. A quantitative study was conducted with a web-based questionnaire containing a total of 75 questions. The measuring instruments MiniIPIP6, SD3, and IWPQ were used to measure personality and self-perceived individual work performance based on self-assessment scales. A total of 302 persons participated in the study (M = 44 years, SD = 13.2, range 20 - 74 years, 72% women). The only requirement to participate in the study was that the respondent had some form of professional experience of at least 50% for at least 3 months. The average work experience was M = 22.4 years (SD = 13.2, range 0.7 - 51 years). The results showed that narcissism had the greatest significance for selfperceived contextual performance and task performance while psychopathy proved to be most important for self-perceived counterproductive work behavior. Our conclusion is that personality is a predictor of self-perceived individual work performance.