Examining the role of Dark and Light Triad traits on sociosexuality

Abstract

Sociosexual orientation—the tendency toward casual sex, is associ-ated with dispositional components of personality such as higherscores of Dark Triad traits (narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychop-athy). Yet, it remains unknown which specific Dark Triad traits andLight Triad traits (Kantianism, Humanism, and Faith in Humanity) pre-dict sociosexuality and its dimensions while controlling for the others.In the current study, using an online community sample (N = 308), weexamined the links between Dark Triad traits, Light Triad traits, overallsociosexuality, and sociosexuality dimensions (attitude, behavior,desire). Using hierarchical regression, we found that only psychopathyemerged as the predictor of behavior, desire, attitude dimensions,and sociosexuality total score. This effect held when controlling forage, sex, relationship status, the other two Dark personality traits, andthe Light Triad. Results suggest that individuals high on psychopathyhave a greater tendency toward uncommitted relationships.