Dark Time Matter: Dark Character Profiles and Time Perspective

Abstract

Background: Humans seem to have a unique ability to consciously organize the flow of time (i.e., past, present, and future) and to intentionally choose goals and values (i.e., character: self, others, the universe). These two parts of human awareness have implications for individuals' relation to a society that will flourish or perish. In fact, a balanced time perspective is suggested as necessary for the experience of well-being and optimal societal functioning. Nevertheless, low character development might be expressed as a Dark Triad: Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy. In the present study, we aimed to investigate if individuals differ in their outlook on time depending on their dark character profiles. Method: We re-analyzed data from a previous study in which participants (N = 338) responded to the Short Dark Triad Inventory and the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory. However, here we use the Dark Cube (Garcia, 2017a), a model of malevolent character based on Cloninger's biopsychosocial theory of personality and in the assumption of a Dark Triad, thus, clustering individuals in eight profiles (i.e., the combination of high/low in three malevolent character traits). Results: The results for each trait suggest multi-finality (i.e., same antecedents, different outcomes) and equifinality (i.e., different antecedents, same outcomes). For example, individuals high in narcissism presented a balanced time perspective when manipulative behavior was also high and psychopathy was low. Conclusions: In certain conditions, malevolent character is associated to a balanced time perspective. Thus, suggesting that in order to understand well-being and optimal societal functioning, we need to look at human awareness in relation to both time (i.e., past, present, future) and space (i.e., character: self, others, the universe).

IRT analyses of the Swedish Dark Triad Dirty Dozen

“…In this context, it would be interesting to see how these parameters differ between a version with 4 or 5 points from the 7-points version used here. Another venue of research is the use of, besides Classic Test Theory and IRT, Quantitaive Semantic Test Theory, which uses computerized methods to addresses how concepts are represented in natural language (see Garcia and Sikström, 2013a , b , 2014 ; Garcia et al., 2015a , 2016 ; Rosenberg et al., 2013 ), and person-oriented methods, which often are data-driven or bottom-up methods that focus on differences between individuals by taking into consideration the existence of sub-populations and the properties of complex adaptive systems, such as in this case, malevolent character ( Lundh, 2015 ; Garcia et al., 2015b ; Garcia, 2018a , b ; Garcia and Rosenberg, 2016 ; Garcia and González, 2017 ; Garcia et al, 2018 ).…”

Unravelling the Relationship between Dark Triad Traits and Effectuation and Causation within Small‐ and Medium‐sized Enterprises

“…Machiavellians have been shown to be proficient in making decisions amid high uncertainty (Kornilova and Krasavtseva, 2017;O'Connor and Morrison, 2001), as they can adroitly predict beneficial outcomes in risky situations (Bereczkei et al, 2013). Machiavellian CEOs have a high level of adaptability and show better strategic capabilities when making decisions in uncertain conditions (Garcia et al, 2018). They appear to thrive in business situations with a high latitude for improvisation and few rules (O' Connor and Morrison, 2001), and in those allowing for risky and innovative decisions, which might be expected to enhance the value of effectual behavioural logic and mitigate causation.…”

“…Machiavellian CEOs have a high level of adaptability and show better strategic capabilities when making decisions in uncertain conditions (Garcia et al. , 2018). They appear to thrive in business situations with a high latitude for improvisation and few rules (O'Connor and Morrison, 2001), and in those allowing for risky and innovative decisions, which might be expected to enhance the value of effectual behavioural logic and mitigate causation.…”

Validation of Two Short Personality Inventories Using Self-Descriptions in Natural Language and Quantitative Semantics Test Theory

“…Hence, as for the light character traits, the dark character traits might also be seen, at least in theory, as one dynamic complex adaptive system rather than three single traits. In this line of thinking, Garcia (Garcia and Rosenberg, 2016;Garcia, 2018) suggested, analogous to Cloninger's "light" character cube (Cloninger, 2004), the Dark Cube, which comprises the eight possible combinations of high/low scores in the three malevolent traits (see Figure 2; Garcia and Rosenberg, 2016;Garcia and Gonzàlez, 2017;Garcia, 2018;Garcia et al, 2018).…”