Buzz
It can be tough to pinpoint what exactly makes your roommate, coworker, or your best friend's boyfriend so unbearable. Fortunately, identifying the "dark traits" that can damage a person's moral fiber is a subject of research. A recent study on this topic suggests that recognizing ethically flawed individuals may be simpler than previously believed. The findings show that a person who displays one of these negative traits is likely to exhibit others as well.
In a series of studies published in the journal Psychological Review, psychologists from the University of Copenhagen and the University of Koblenz-Landau surveyed 2500 participants. They asked participants to agree or disagree with statements like “It is sometimes worth a little suffering on my part to see others receive the punishment they deserve,” and “I know that I am special because everyone keeps telling me so.” These questions were designed to assess the degree to which participants displayed these nine morally questionable traits:
Egoism: an excessive focus on one's own benefit to the detriment of others and society as a whole
Machiavellianism: a manipulative and ruthless mindset, with the belief that the outcome justifies the methods used
Moral disengagement: a mental process that allows individuals to act unethically without feeling guilt or distress
Narcissism: an inflated sense of self-importance, a belief in one's superiority, and an overwhelming desire for admiration from others
Psychological entitlement: a persistent sense that one is superior to others and deserving of better treatment
Psychopathy: a lack of empathy and self-control, coupled with impulsive, reckless behavior
Sadism: the urge to cause mental or physical pain to others for personal enjoyment or self-gain
Self-interest: the drive to advance and showcase one’s own social and financial standing
Spitefulness: the destructive nature and willingness to harm others, even at one’s own expense
If individuals demonstrated one of these tendencies, it was rarely their only problematic trait. The researchers found that people who lack empathy are often also manipulative and self-centered, suggesting that a dark personality is not merely the result of a specific combination of traits. Instead, these behaviors are all symptoms of what the study authors call "the D-factor." According to a release from the University of Copenhagen, these unsavory behaviors stem from "the general tendency to maximize one’s individual utility—disregarding, accepting, or malevolently provoking disutility for others—accompanied by beliefs that serve as justifications."
This indicates that those who are obsessed with their own self-interest, without concern for the harm they cause others, exhibit the D-factor. Many universally condemned behaviors—such as violence, dishonesty, theft, and discrimination—can be categorized under this umbrella.
Psychologists could potentially use this research to further investigate the causes and connections between malevolent behaviors in the future. The findings may also be beneficial for anyone looking to understand which types of individuals they should avoid.
