Activation of self-focus and self-presentation traits under private, mixed, and public pressure
- Authors: Geukes, Katharina , Mesagno, Christopher , Hanrahan, Stephanie , Kellmann, Michael
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology Vol. 35, no. 1 (2013), p. 50-59
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- Description: Trait activation theorists suggest that situational demands activate traits in (pressure) situations. In a comparison of situational demands of private (monetary incentive, cover story), mixed (monetary incentive, small audience), and public (large audience, video taping) high-pressure situations, we hypothesized that situational demands of private and mixed high-pressure conditions would activate self-focus traits and those of a public high-pressure condition would activate self-presentation traits. Female handball players (N = 120) completed personality questionnaires and then performed a throwing task in a low-pressure condition and one of three high-pressure conditions (n = 40). Increased anxiety levels from low to high pressure indicated successful pressure manipulations. A self-focus trait negatively predicted performance in private and mixed high-pressure conditions, and self-presentation traits positively predicted performance in the public high-pressure condition. Thus, pressure situations differed in their trait-activating situational demands. Experimental research investigating the trait-performance relationship should therefore use simulations of real competitions over laboratory-based scenarios. © 2013 Human Kinetics, Inc.
- Description: 2003010828
Testing an interactionist perspective on the relationship between personality traits and performance under public pressure
- Authors: Geukes, Katharina , Mesagno, Christopher , Hanrahan, Stephanie , Kellmann, Michael
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Psychology of Sport and Exercise Vol. 13, no. 3 (2012), p. 243-250
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- Description: Objectives: The interactionist principle of trait activation [. Tett & Gutermann (2000). Situation trait relevance, trait expression, and cross-situational consistency: testing a principle of trait activation. Journal of Research in Personality, 34, 397-423.] explains human behavior through the stimulation of traits by trait-relevant situational cues (i.e., situation-trait relevance). In applied (real-world) high-pressure situations, audiences provide the situational demand of public evaluation. Therefore, traits that are related to public evaluation are appraised as situation-relevant. The purpose of the current study was to test if situation-relevant traits (i.e., narcissism, public self-consciousness) predict performance in applied high-pressure situations, while situation-irrelevant traits (i.e., private self-consciousness) do not contribute to the performance explanation. Design/Method: Experienced handball players (N = 55) completed personality questionnaires and performed a throwing task in low and high-pressure conditions, whereby the high-pressure condition involved 1500-2000 spectators during halftime breaks of professional handball games. Results: Findings supported the assumptions about situation-trait relevancies and indicated that narcissism and public self-consciousness were relevant to high-pressure performance (i.e., positively associated), whereas private self-consciousness was found to be irrelevant. No predictors were correlated to low-pressure performance. Conclusions: Results emphasize that trait activation is a promising explanation for the relevance of personality characteristics to performance under pressure. A systematic consideration of situational demands of high-pressure situations will result in adequate appraisals of situation-trait relevance and help predict performance with trait scores. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.
Performing under pressure in private : Activation of self-focus traits
- Authors: Geukes, Katharina , Mesagno, Christopher , Hanrahan, Stephanie , Kellmann, Michael
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology Vol. 11, no. 1 (2013), p. 11-23
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- Description: Self-focus and self-presentation traits have been found to predict performance under pressure. The interactionist principle of trait activation indicates that situational demands encourage different traits to be relevant to performance in high-pressure situations. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to investigate the relationship of self-focus and self-presentation traits with performance in a private high-pressure setting. Because the private high-pressure situation offered motivational incentives but only minimal self-presentation cues, only a self-focus trait (private self-consciousness), but not self-presentation traits (public self-consciousness and narcissism), was hypothesized to predict performance under pressure in a private setting. After completing personality questionnaires, future physical education university students (N = 59) with experience in sport competitions performed eight throws at a target in low-pressure and high-pressure conditions. The conditions were identical with the exception that the high-pressure condition involved a monetary incentive and a cover story. Participants' state anxiety increased from low to high pressure. Neither self-focus nor self-presentation traits predicted performance under low pressure. Only the self-focus trait, but not self-presentation traits, negatively contributed to the prediction of high-pressure performance. Hence, findings support the applicability of the trait activation principle and underline that the situational demands of private high-pressure situations activate self-focus personality traits. © 2013 Copyright International Society of Sport Psychology.
- Description: 2003010822
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.
Predicting short- and long-term mating orientations : The role of sex and the dark tetrad
- Authors: Tsoukas, Alexandra , March, Evita
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Sex Research Vol. 55, no. 9 (2018), p. 1206-1218
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- Description: Previous literature has extensively considered factors that influence short- and long-term mating orientations, with specific attention given to individual differences (e.g., sex and personality). Although research has established the role “darker” personality traits (i.e., the dark triad) play in mating orientation, this triad has recently been reconceptualized as a tetrad. Due to this reconceptualization, the current study sought to establish the utility of sex and the dark tetrad in predicting individual short- and long-term mating orientations. In addition, as an alternative to previous methodology, the orientations were assessed using a continuous measure. A total of 464 participants, ages 18 to 69, completed an online questionnaire assessing dark tetrad traits and mating orientations. Results showed that sex, trait psychopathy, and trait sadism were significant predictors of a short-term mating orientation. For long-term mating orientations, there was no predictive utility of sex, but there were positive associations for narcissism and negative associations for psychopathy and sadism. These findings add further understanding of the predictors of mating orientation and the utility of the tetrad in predicting mating orientations. In addition, the findings offer future mating orientation studies an alternative measure to the traditional dichotomous format.
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.
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
Exploring anger as a moderator of narcissism and antisocial behaviour on tinder
- Authors: March, Evita , Grieve, Rachel , Wagstaff, Danielle , Slocum, Alexandra
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Personality and Individual Differences Vol. 161, no. (2020), p.
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- Description: In an attempt to address inconsistency in the literature regarding narcissism and online antisocial behaviour, we applied the theory of threatened egotism and aggression to examine whether anger moderates the relationship between narcissism and antisocial behaviour on Tinder. Specifically, we explored anger moderating the relationship between narcissistic subtypes of Grandiose Exhibitionism and Entitlement Exploitative and perpetration of antisocial behaviour (aggression and harassment) on Tinder. Tinder users (N = 1,001; 46.3% men and 53.7% women) with an average age of 22.42 years (SD = 4.31) completed an anonymous online questionnaire. Anger was a significant moderator of all relationships between narcissism and antisocial behaviour. Specifically, at average and high levels of anger there were positive, significant relationships between both facets of narcissism, and aggression and harassment on Tinder. These results indicate that trait narcissism alone may not explain perpetration of antisocial behaviour on Tinder, and to adequately explore this relationship future research should consider the role of threatened egotism. © 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
Dark Triad traits as predictors of adherence to traditional masculine norms in men
- Authors: van Doorn, George , Dye, Jacob
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Primenjena Psihologija Vol. 14, no. 4 (2021), p. 539-569
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- Description: The present study examined whether Dark Triad traits explain variance in men's adherence to traditional masculine norms (Playboy, Self-Reliance, Emotional Control, Winning, Violence, Heterosexual Self-Presentation, Risk-Taking, and Power over Women). Two-hundred and thirty-seven English speaking men (aged 18 to 62 years) completed online versions of the Self-Report Psychopathy Scale-III, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, the Mach-IV, and the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory-29. Results from regression analyses showed that the psychopathic trait Callous Affect positively predicted men's Need to Win, Emotional Control, Violence, and Power Over Women; Erratic Lifestyle was a positive predictor of Risk-Taking; and Antisocial Behaviour was a positive predictor of Playboy. Machiavellianism predicted only Violence. The Narcissistic sub-trait Leadership positively predicted Risk-Taking; Manipulativeness predicted Risk-Taking and Violence; Superiority predicted Risk-Taking and Power over Women; Vanity predicted Self-Reliance; and Exhibitionism predicted Emotional Control. We conclude that whilst Callous Affect appears to hold the highest predictive validity, the Dark Triad traits differentially predict adherence to specific masculine norms. © 2021 The Author(s).
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
Self-ie love: Predictors of image editing intentions on Facebook
- Authors: Lowe-Calverley, Emily , Grieve, Rachel
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Telematics and informatics Vol. 35, no. 1 (2018), p. 186-194
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- Description: •First to use Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to predict ‘selfie’ editing.•TPB model extended through control variables and the inclusion of Narcissism.•Prior editing and Facebook Intensity significantly predicted editing intentions.•Attitudes and subjective norms, but not PBC, significantly contributed to the model.•Narcissism explained a small, significant proportion of intentions beyond the TPB. Little research has examined image-editing behaviour on social media, yet with images being a key form of online social communication, the importance of such research is evident. The aim of the current study was to examine the factors that influence peoples’ intentions to post digitally altered self-images on the Facebook platform, using an extended Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) model. It was hypothesised that after controlling for age, prior editing application use, and integration of Facebook in a user’s life, the TPB variables (attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control [PBC]) would explain a significant proportion of intention to post digitally altered images on Facebook. Furthermore, that the addition of narcissism would explain further variation in intentions, beyond that explained by the control and TPB variables. Participants (N = 151 Mage = 25.6 years 76% female) completed an online survey assessing each of the aforementioned variables. Hierarchical multiple regression revealed that each of the hypotheses were supported, with all variables significantly contributing to the prediction of intentions, except PBC and age. This study sheds light on the predictors of image-editing behaviour, and sets the stage for subsequent research examining editing behaviours on Facebook as well as other social media platforms (e.g. Instagram).
Vulnerable dark triad personality facets are associated with religious fundamentalist tendencies
- Authors: Unterrainer, Human-Friedrich , Ruttinger, Johanna , Lewis, Andrew , Anglim, Jeromy , Fink, Andreas , Kapfhammer, Hans-Peter
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Psychopathology Vol. 49, no. 1 (2016), p. 47-52
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- Description: Background: This study explores the possibility that religious fundamentalism (RF) may be linked to deficits in personality structure, which is in contrast to the general assumption that religiosity and spirituality are positively related to mature personality development. Sampling andMethods: To test this hypothesis, 327 (232 female) college students completed the Multidimensional Inventory for Religious/Spiritual Well-Being together with the Innsbrucker Religious Fundamentalism Scale. In addition, the ‘vulnerable dark triad' of personality (‘vulnerable narcissism', subscale of the Pathological Narcissism Inventory ‘secondary psychopathy', subscale of Levenson's Self-Report Psychopathy Scale ‘borderline personality', of the Borderline Personality Inventory) was assessed. Results: In general, the relation between spirituality and healthy personality functioning was confirmed. In addition to greatly overlapping with ‘general religiosity' (p < 0.001), RF was also relevantly predicted by narcissistic (‘hiding the self') and borderline (‘primitive defenses') personality facets (p < 0.05 for both). Conclusions: Based on these preliminary data, we conclude that specific structural deficits in personality might lead to more rigorous variants of religious/spiritual beliefs such as RF. Further research in clinical surroundings as well as in religious extremist groups is recommended.
Trolling, the dark tetrad, and the four-facet spectrum of narcissism
- Authors: Furian, Lauren , March, Evita
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Personality and Individual Differences Vol. 208, no. (2023), p.
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- Description: Trolling is an antisocial online behavior that involves the aggressive provocation of others by causing conflict for the “troll's” own personal amusement. In the current study, we explore the utility of the facets of narcissism (agentic, communal, antagonistic, and neurotic) to predict perpetration of trolling, over and above the variance explained by gender, psychopathy, and sadism. We hypothesised that men would troll more than women, that psychopathy, sadism, and antagonistic narcissism would be positive predictors, and agentic, communal, and neurotic narcissism would be negative predictors. Participants (N = 444; 66 % women, 34 % men; Mage = 34.95, SD = 14.84) were recruited via social media (i.e., Facebook) and Cloud Research to complete an anonymous, online questionnaire that comprised measures of personality and trolling behaviors. Results partially supported the hypothesis, with men, people with high psychopathy, and people with high sadism perpetrating more trolling. Unexpectedly, people with high communal narcissism and neurotic narcissism perpetrated more trolling. Antagonistic narcissism and agentic narcissism were nonsignificant predictors. These findings implicate the utility of exploring the facets of narcissism and provide important information regarding the psychological profile of trolls. © 2023 The Authors