Dark Triad Study

1.3. The Dark triad
Recent research has shown that Dark triad traits (Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism; Paulhus & Williams, 2002) are related to a greater tendency, for both men and women, to engage in sexual harassment (Zeigler-Hill et al., 2016). Therefore, the present study focused on these traits and their effect on perceptions of harassment as it is highly likely that an individual who has a tendency to engage in sexual harassment, also holds an inaccurate perception of the behaviour. The Dark triad traits, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism, are related but distinct traits which are socially undesirable (Paulhus & Williams, 2002). They are characterised by empathy deficits, disagreeableness, callousness, manipulation, deceit, exploitation, and lack of honesty-humility (Jones & Paulhus, 2011). Machiavellianism relates to a cynical, unemotional and pragmatic approach to life and maximisation of personal outcomes at the expense of others using deception and manipulation. (Rauthmann & Will, 2011). Psychopathy consists of thrill-seeking, manipulation and antisocial behaviour (Williams, Nathanson, & Paulhus, 2003). It can be separated into primary (shallow, empathy deficits, superficial charm) and secondary (impulsivity, social …show more content…
Further research has indicated that attributions of blame are influenced by sexual harassment proclivity. Men who are high in a tendency to harass tend to attribute more blame to victims than perpetrators (Key & Ridge, 2011). Additionally, individuals who are high in LSH tend to not judge sexually harassing behaviour as sexual harassment (Isbell et al., 2005). Taken together these results suggest that Dark triad traits may facilitate victim blaming behaviour, and an acceptance of sexual