Date of Award
2015
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Social Sciences
First Advisor
Cottrell, Catherine
Keywords
The Dark Triad of Personality, Interpersonal Relationships, Surveys
Area of Concentration
Psychology
Abstract
The Dark Triad of personality consists of subclinical narcissism, subclinical psychopathy, and Machiavellianism. Individuals high in the Dark Triad of personality tend to be successful in certain life domains, such as careers and short-term relationships. The current study aimed to explore how levels of the Dark Triad traits affect perceptions of attractiveness, likability, and desirability in interpersonal relationships. A sample of participants from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk completed an online questionnaire. Participants were randomly assigned to read either a vignette about an individual high in the Dark Triad, or a control vignette. Participants then responded to items concerning attractiveness, likability, and desirability in interpersonal relationships. The high Dark Triad and control vignettes did not differ in ratings of attractiveness. The high Dark Triad vignette was rated as a more desirable short-term than long-term partner. The high Dark Triad vignette was rated as less likable than the control vignette. Lastly, the high Dark Triad vignette was rated as both a less desirable friend and romantic partner than the control vignette.
Recommended Citation
Paterson, Alaina Christine, "TO BE OR NOT TO BE IN: INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE DARK TRIAD OF PERSONALITY" (2015). Theses & ETDs. 5089.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/5089