The Dark Triad: Facilitating a Short-Term Mating Strategy in Men

• Main Authors: JONASON, Peter K., LI, Norman P., WEBSTER, Gregory D., SCHMITT, David P.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2009
• Subjects: narcissism; Machiavellianism; psychopathy; Dark Triad; sex differences; short-term mating; Gender and Sexuality; Social Psychology
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/960; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/soss_research/article/2215/viewcontent/DarkTriadFacSTMatingStrategyMen_2009.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

This survey (N=224) found that characteristics collectively known as the Dark Triad (i.e. narcissism, psychopathy and Machiavellianism) were correlated with various dimensions of short-term mating but not long-term mating. The link between the Dark Triad and short-term mating was stronger for men than for women. The Dark Triad partially mediated the sex difference in short-term mating behaviour. Findings are consistent with a view that the Dark Triad facilitates an exploitative, short-term mating strategy in men. Possible implications, including that Dark Triad traits represent a bundle of individual differences that promote a reproductively adaptive strategy are discussed. Findings are discussed in the broad context of how an evolutionary approach to personality psychology can enhance our understanding of individual differences.