Systematic Exploration of Antisocial Behavior : Insights from Short Dark Triad and Dirty Dozen Methodologies in Dark Triad Studies

Abstract

Abstract: The concept of the Dark Triad (DT) refers to three interrelated and negative personality traits: Psychopathy, Narcissism, and Machiavellianism. The relationship between DT traits and antisocial behaviors has been shown in recent years. The current study aimed to obtain a systematized summary of the presence of DT traits, assessed through Dirty Dozen (DD) and Short Dark Triad (SD3), in studies evaluating participants with measures of antisocial behavior. Studies were identified by searching EBSCO, PubMed, and Web of Science. A total of 367 studies published between 2010 and 2023 were identified through database searches. After full-text analysis, 32 articles were retained for this review. Data suggests that, among adolescents, global DT traits were significantly associated with delinquency, with Psychopathy, Narcissism, and Machiavellianism showing distinct correlations. Conduct disorder was positively linked to Psychopathy and Machiavellianism. Adult samples also exhibited associations between DT traits and various forms of antisocial behavior, such as bullying, aggression, violence, and cyberstalking. Psychopathy showed the most robust correlation with antisocial behavior, although Machiavellianism was comparable in some studies. Narcissism, while generally less correlated, exhibited associations with reactive aggression and ego-threat. The review underscores the importance of Psychopathy in predicting antisocial behavior and highlights its role in reducing the influence of Machiavellianism and Narcissism. Overall, this review provides valuable contributions to comprehending the intricate dynamics between DT traits and antisocial behavior, emphasizing the need for continued exploration in this evolving field.