The Dark Triad in Faces: The Influence of Personality Characteristics and Gender on Perceived Attractiveness

Abstract

The study examines the predictive significance of the presence of subclinical narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy (Dark Triad) on preferences for faces characterised by high (or low) levels of the Dark Triad traits. Additionally, it investigates the effect of gender and separately explores preferences for male and female faces. Through the assessment of male and female facial composites that represent high and low levels of narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy, by utilizing the Short Dark Triad Questionnaire, the possible influence of gender and Dark Triad trait levels on the evaluation of the attractiveness of a composite is analysed. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of one of the personality characteristics in the evaluator only has an impact on the assessment of facial attractiveness in the case of Machiavellianismthe higher the level of Machiavellianism exhibited by the evaluator, the higher the likelihood that they will rate a female face that exhibits high levels of Machiavellian features as attractive. The evaluator's gender also specifically influences the assessment of the attractiveness of Machiavellianism and psychopathy, but only for female facial compositesif a male subject is asked to evaluate female faces with Machiavellian or psychopathic traits, it is highly likely that he will find them to be unattractive.