Psychopathy, Machiavellianism, Aggression, and Moral Taboos

Psychopathy, Machiavellianism, Aggression, and Moral Taboos

Date

2-14-2024

Faculty Mentor

Heidi Dempsey, Psychology

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Submission Type

Conference Proceeding

Location

9:15-9:25am | Houston Cole Library, 11th Floor

Description

In the past decade there has been an increased interest in exploring the intricate dimensions of dark personality traits, including psychopathy, Machiavellianism, narcissism, and sadism and their implications for personality disorders and psychological dysfunction (Curtis et al., 2022; Muris et al., 2017). Researchers have found that those higher in these traits are more likely to have related personality disorders (e.g., anti-social personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder) while concurrently grappling with challenges in interpersonal relationships and moral decision making (Glenn et al., 2009; Graham & Haidt, 2012; Kiehl, 2008). In the current study, we collected data from over 150 undergraduate college students to examine the correlational relationship between two prominent dark traits, psychopathy and Machiavellianism using the Dirty Dozen and SD-4 measures of dark traits (Jonason & Webster, 2010; Paulhus et al., 2021), and self-reports of physical, verbal, and indirect aggression using the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (Buss & Perry, 1992). The study further investigates participants’ decisions regarding the monetary value they would associate with violating a spectrum of moral taboos, using the Sacredness Scale (Graham et al., 2009). We hypothesize that college-aged students higher in Machiavellianism will be inclined to assign a lower monetary value to the violation of moral taboos, and students higher in psychopathy are expected to self-report engaging in more aggressive behaviors across the three domains. The integration of these diverse measures allows for a comprehensive examination of the nuanced connections between dark personality traits, aggressive tendencies, and moral decision-making processes in the context of young adulthood. By shedding light on these associations, this study not only contributes to the evolving research on dark personality traits but also holds implications for understanding and addressing potential challenges in the developmental trajectories of young adults. These findings may inform targeted interventions aimed at mitigating the negative consequences associated with these traits, ultimately fostering healthier social interactions and ethical decision-making in this demographic.

Keywords

student research, psychology

Rights

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Disciplines

Psychology

Psychopathy, Machiavellianism, Aggression, and Moral Taboos

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