Using Tinder® to start a fire : Predicting antisocial use of Tinder® with gender and the Dark Tetrad
- Authors: Duncan, Zoe , March, Evita
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Personality and Individual Differences Vol. 145, no. (2019), p. 9-14
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- Description: Online dating continues to grow in popularity and is associated with significant advantages; however, experiencing antisocial behaviours when online dating is a distinct possibility. The aim of the current study was to explore the utility of gender and the dark personality traits of narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism in predicting perpetration of a range of antisocial behaviours on the popular dating app Tinder. It was hypothesised that the male gender and higher scores on these personality traits would predict perpetration of antisocial behaviours on Tinder. Participants (N = 587; 21% men, 79% women) completed an online questionnaire, including the Antisocial Uses of Tinder® Scale which was constructed to measure a range of antisocial behaviours. Exploratory and Confirmatory factor analyses revealed three forms of antisocial behaviours (General, esteem, and sexual) which explained over half of the variance (58.99%) of variance in the Antisocial Uses of Tinder® measure. Regression analyses were run for each form of antisocial behaviour, and the predictive utility of gender and the dark traits were found to differ across the antisocial behaviours. Results of the current study support an individual differences approach to exploring antisocial behaviours online, particularly when online dating.
The dark side of Facebook®: The Dark Tetrad, negative social potency, and trolling behaviours
- Authors: Craker, Naomi , March, Evita
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Personality and Individual Differences Vol. 102, no. (2016), p. 79-84
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- Description: Trolling behaviours on social networking sites (SNSs) are problematic for other computer mediated communication users, as the psychological effects of experiencing trolling online are considered similar to the psychological effects of offline harassment. The current study explored personality traits and social motivations associated with individuals who engage in online trolling, specifically on the SNS Facebook®. The Dark Tetrad personality traits (i.e., narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism) and social reward (specifically, negative social potency) were examined for their predictive utility of trolling behaviours on Facebook®. A sample of 396 adults (75.9% women, 24.1% men) aged between 18 and 77 years of age (M=34.41, SD=1.70) completed the Global Assessment of Facebook® Trolling (GAFT), The Dirty Dozen, The Short Sadistic Impulse Scale, and The Social Rewards Questionnaire. Results showed that trait psychopathy and sadism predict Facebook® trolling behaviours; however, negative social potency had the strongest predictive utility. These results show that individual trolling behaviour may be better explained by negative social reward motivation than negative personality traits. In addition, these findings offer practical implications for SNS administrators and everyday users of SNSs. Future research should continue to explore predictors of this understudied antisocial online behaviour.
- Description: Trolling behaviours on social networking sites (SNSs) are problematic for other computer mediated communication users, as the psychological effects of experiencing trolling online are considered similar to the psychological effects of offline harassment. The current study explored personality traits and social motivations associated with individuals who engage in online trolling, specifically on the SNS Facebook®. The Dark Tetrad personality traits (i.e., narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism) and social reward (specifically, negative social potency) were examined for their predictive utility of trolling behaviours on Facebook®. A sample of 396 adults (75.9% women, 24.1% men) aged between 18 and 77years of age (M=34.41, SD=1.70) completed the Global Assessment of Facebook® Trolling (GAFT), The Dirty Dozen, The Short Sadistic Impulse Scale, and The Social Rewards Questionnaire. Results showed that trait psychopathy and sadism predict Facebook® trolling behaviours; however, negative social potency had the strongest predictive utility. These results show that individual trolling behaviour may be better explained by negative social reward motivation than negative personality traits. In addition, these findings offer practical implications for SNS administrators and everyday users of SNSs. Future research should continue to explore predictors of this understudied antisocial online behaviour.
Psychopathy, sadism, empathy, and the motivation to cause harm : New evidence confirms malevolent nature of the Internet Troll
- Authors: March, Evita
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Personality and Individual Differences Vol. 141, no. (2019), p. 133-137
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- Description: Internet trolling is a disruptive, antisocial online behaviour that can cause significant distress. The current study attempted to, for the first time, include all previous significant predictors of Internet trolling in one model; specifically the utility of gender, primary psychopathy, sadism (direct and vicarious), affective empathy, cognitive empathy, negative social potency in predicting Internet trolling. Further, if the Vulnerable Dark Triad traits (i.e., secondary psychopathy, vulnerable narcissism, and borderline personality traits) could predict additional variance. The sample comprised of 733 participants (70.5% women and 29.5% men) who completed an online questionnaire. Results indicated that primary psychopathy, direct sadism, vicarious sadism, and negative social potency were all significant positive predictors of Internet trolling. Affective empathy was a significant, negative predictor of Internet trolling, and cognitive empathy was positively related to Internet trolling but only if levels of trait psychopathy were high. Of the Vulnerable Dark Triad traits, only vulnerable narcissism was a significant (negative) predictor of Internet trolling. Interestingly, gender did not significantly predict Internet trolling. Results of the current study are discussed in terms of the construction of the psychological profile of the Internet troll, with the hope that such a profile can inform intervention and prevention strategies.
Somebody that I (used to) know : gender and dimensions of dark personality traits as predictors of intimate partner cyberstalking
- Authors: March, Evita , Litten, Verity , Sullivan, Danny , Ward, Louise
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Personality and Individual Differences Vol. 163, no. (2020), p.
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- Description: Intimate partner cyberstalking, a form of intimate partner stalking, is stalking behaviour perpetrated via technology. Experiencing intimate partner cyberstalking is associated with significant negative outcomes including depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and social isolation. In the current study, we aimed to (1) establish intimate partner cyberstalking as a controlling relationship behaviour and (2) explore the utility of gender and dimensions of the Dark Tetrad traits (i.e., narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism) to predict intimate partner cyberstalking. Participants (N = 405; 69.6% women) completed an online questionnaire measuring personality, online behaviour, and controlling relationship behaviours. Controlling relationship behaviours was a significant predictor of intimate partner cyberstalking. Further, gender (women), vulnerable narcissism, direct sadism (verbal and physical), and secondary psychopathy were significant, positive predictors of intimate partner cyberstalking. Importantly, significant gender differences appeared regarding predictors; vulnerable narcissism and direct verbal sadism were significant predictors for women, and only secondary psychopathy was a significant predictor for men. Results are discussed in terms of implications and gender differences in motivations for perpetrating this controlling relationship behaviour. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd
Belief in conspiracy theories : the predictive role of schizotypy, machiavellianism, and primary psychopathy
- Authors: March, Evita , Springer
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: PLoS ONE Vol. 14, no. 12 (2019), p.
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- Description: A conspiracy theory refers to an alternative explanation of an event involving a conspirator plot organised by powerful people or organisations. Belief in conspiracy theories is related to negative societal outcomes such as poor medical decisions and a decrease in prosocial behaviour. Given these negative outcomes, researchers have explored predictors of belief in conspiracy theories in an attempt to understand and possibly manage these beliefs. In the current study, we explored the utility of personality in predicting belief in conspiracy theories. The aim of the current study was to explore the utility of the odd beliefs/magical thinking subtype of schizotypy, Machiavellianism, grandiose narcissism, vulnerable narcissism, primary psychopathy, and secondary psychopathy in predicting belief in conspiracy theories. Participants (N = 230; 44.7% male, 55.3% female) completed an anonymous, confidential online questionnaire which comprised demographics and measures of personality traits and belief in conspiracy theories. The total regression model indicated odd beliefs/magical thinking, trait Machiavellianism, and primary psychopathy were significant, positive predictors of belief in conspiracy theories. No other predictors reached significance. Results of the current study highlight individuals who might be more susceptible to believing conspiracy theories. Specifically, these results indicate that the individual more likely to believe in conspiracy theories may have unusual patterns of thinking and cognitions, be strategic and manipulative, and display interpersonal and affective deficits. © 2019 March, Springer. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Dangerous dating in the digital age : jealousy, hostility, narcissism, and psychopathy as predictors of cyber dating abuse
- Authors: Branson, Molly , March, Evita
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Computers in Human Behavior Vol. 119, no. (2021), p.
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- Description: Cyber Dating Abuse includes perpetration of aggressive and controlling behaviours against an intimate partner via technology. Despite the significant physical and psychological outcomes, there is a paucity in research exploring predictors of Cyber Dating Abuse. In the current study, we replicate and extend previous research by exploring the utility of jealousy, hostility, narcissism (grandiose and vulnerable), and psychopathy (primary and secondary) as predictors of Cyber Dating Abuse. Participants (N = 817; 78.2% women; Mage = 28.16, SD = 10.49) were recruited via social media and completed an online questionnaire which comprised measures of jealousy, hostility, narcissism, psychopathy, and perpetration of Cyber Dating Abuse behaviours. Results supported the hypotheses that jealousy, vulnerable narcissism, and secondary psychopathy would be significant, positive predictors of Cyber Dating Abuse perpetration. No other predictor reached significance, and gender (control variable) was also a non-significant predictor. Results are discussed through the lens of evolutionary theory and the General Aggression Model and indicate that the perpetration of Cyber Dating Abuse may be better attributed to reactive, emotional aggression, compared to proactive, instrumental aggression. These results have important clinical and practical implications and may inform management and prevention of online intimate partner abuse and violence. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd
High esteem and hurting others online : trait sadism moderates the relationship between self-esteem and internet trolling
- Authors: March, Evita , Steele, Genevieve
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking Vol. 23, no. 7 (2020), p. 441-446
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- Description: Internet trolling is commonly defined as disruptive online behavior, intended to provoke and distress others for amusement. Previous research has shown that gender (specifically, male), trait psychopathy, and trait sadism significantly predict engaging in trolling. In this study, we sought to replicate and extend previous research by exploring the role of self-esteem in predicting trolling, and possible interactions between self-esteem and personality. Participants (n = 400, 67.5 percent women, average age = 24.97 years [SD = 8.84]) completed an online questionnaire, including measures of psychopathy, sadism, self-esteem, and trolling behaviors. Results corroborated previous research showing gender (male) to be a significant predictor of trolling, and trait psychopathy and sadism to be significant positive predictors. Although self-esteem had no additional value on top of trait psychopathy and sadism in explaining trolling, there was a significant interaction between self-esteem and trait sadism. A moderation analysis indicated a positive relationship between self-esteem and trolling, but only when trait sadism was high. These results portray the troll as a callous individual may enjoy causing psychological harm, particularly if their self-esteem is high. These results contribute to building the psychological profile of trolls and provide future directions for research exploring trolling behaviors.
Dominance or deceit : the role of the dark triad and hegemonic masculinity in emotional manipulation
- Authors: Waddell, Chloe , Van Doorn, George , March, Evita , Grieve, Rachel
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Personality and Individual Differences Vol. 166, no. (2020), p.
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- Description: People may emotionally manipulate others in an attempt to control them and achieve personally satisfying outcomes. Experiencing emotional manipulation is related to several negative outcomes (e.g., depression). As a first step in addressing these negative outcomes, this study explored the utility of hegemonic masculinity and the Dark Triad (i.e., trait narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy) in predicting emotional manipulation. Three hundred and twenty-seven participants (119 men, 208 women) completed an online survey measuring hegemonic masculinity, narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, as well as their (a) perceived ability to emotionally manipulate others, and (b) willingness to engage in emotional manipulation. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that, for both men and women, hegemonic masculinity was a significant predictor of one's willingness and perceived ability to emotionally manipulate others. However, when Dark Triad traits were added to the model, hegemonic masculinity's contribution became non-significant. Hegemonic masculinity seems to share variance with Dark Triad traits, particularly Machiavellianism. These findings are important as they establish that existing operational definitions of hegemonic masculinity share features with certain ‘dark’ personality traits. Thus, when predicting antisocial behaviour and tendencies, perhaps the variance explained by hegemonic masculinity is better captured by dark personality traits. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd