Mate-selection and the Dark Triad: Facilitating a short-term mating strategy and creating a volatile environment

Abstract

a b s t r a c tThe current study (N = 242) seeks to establish the relationship between traits known collectively as the Dark Triad -narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism -and mating standards and preferences. Using a budget-allocation task, we correlated scores on the Dark Triad traits with mate preferences for a longterm and short-term mate. Men scoring high on the Dark Triad may be more indiscriminate than most when selecting for short-term mates in order to widen their prospects. Furthermore, those high on the Dark Triad -psychopathy in particular -tend to select for mates based on self-interest, assortative mating, or a predilection for volatile environments. We assessed these correlations when controlling for the Big Five and the sex of the participant. We also tested for moderation by the sex of the participant and mating context. Ramifications and future directions are considered.

Birds of a “bad” feather flock together: The Dark Triad and mate choice

“…In confirmation of the context-specific value of the Dark Triad traits suggested by evolutionary psychologists (Jonason et al, 2009(Jonason et al, , 2011, both sexes found advertisements with low levels of the traits more desirable as spouses, and advertisements with high levels of the traits as more desirable one-night stand partners. Long-term partnerships are characterized by high levels of mutual investment (Buss & Schmitt, 1993), essential for bi-parental care (Fisher, 1994), which may require ongoing amicability.…”

“…Prior work on the role the Dark Triad traits play in mating psychology have focused on existing couples (Smith et al, 2014), other aspects of mating psychology (e.g., mate retention; Jonason, Li et al, 2010), or on mate preferences (Jonason et al, 2011). As mate choice might differ from mate preferences (Todd et al, 2007), we wanted to ascertain whether those characterized by the Dark Triad traits actively choose homogamous partners.…”

“…Evolutionary psychologists have argued these traits might be adaptive because they facilitate fitness-relevant choices/behaviors. There appears to be a mating advantage for men characterized by these traits, at least in the short-term (Jonason et al, 2009;Jonason, Valentine, Li, & Harbeson, 2011), and women may benefit from having these trait through gene capturing (Carter, Campbell, & Muncer, 2014;Lyons, Marcinkowska, Helle, & McGrath, 2015).…”

“…It is unclear, however, whether the tendencies associated with the Dark Triad traits such as aggression (Keller et al, 2014), social dominance (Jonason, 2015), competitiveness (Jonason, Wee, & Li, 2015), and a need to be ''number 1'' (Raskin & Terry, 1988) will diminish relationship stability thereby decreasing reproductive success in both sexes (Bereczkei & Csanaky, 1996), or whether dating, especially in the short-term, a likeminded other who enjoys a drama-filled life (Jonason et al, 2011), thriving on the excitement of risk-taking, drug use, and alcohol consumption (Jonason, Koenig, & Tost, 2010) is preferable. Indeed, there is evidence in support of the former (Smith et al, 2014) and the latter (Keller et al, 2014).…”

Relationships between the Dark Triad and Delayed Gratification: An Evolutionary Perspective

“…Thus, narcissism may be adaptive in some cases (Paulhus, 1998), as evidenced by its positive links with trait emotional intelligence ), self-esteem (ZeiglerHill, 2006) subjective well-being (Rose & Campbell, 2004), and life expectancy (Jonason, Baughman, Carter, & Parker, 2015). In the mating context, narcissistic individuals are perceived as more attractive and are more successful in acquiring short-term mates than are non-narcissists (Holtzman & Strube, 2010;Jonason, Li, Webster, & Schmitt, 2009;Jonason, Valentine, Li, & Harbeson, 2011).…”