The Nomological Network of the Short Dark Tetrad Scale (SD4)

The present study examined the nomological network of the Short Dark Tetrad scale (SD4). The SD4 measures narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and sadism. We translated the original English SD4 into German and used an online sample ( N = 594, 77% women) to investigate its nomological network with regard to the Big Five, honesty-humility, maladaptive personality traits, impulsivity, aggression, motives, values, sociosexual orientation, the octants of the interpersonal circumplex model, and self-esteem. The overall profile similarities between the observed and hypothesized nomological networks were very high. Few correlations differed concerning direction or magnitude. Hence, our study extends the nomological network of the Dark Tetrad in a meaningful way and suggests that the SD4 can be validly interpreted and used for the assessment of narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and sadism.

Who likes extraverts? Re-examining motivational tradeoff effects in social perception

Although many facial features elicit similar personality impressions across different perceivers, there are also substantial individual differences. Brown and Sacco conducted several studies to explore which perceiver characteristics explain these differences. Applying the idea of motivational tradeoffs, they showed that extraverted-looking targets are perceived more positively by perceivers whose social needs are more likely to be met by extraverted individuals. Here, we conduct two preregistered replications of their studies, testing if participants with (a) stronger affiliative needs, (b) weaker pathogen concern, and (c) a more unrestricted sociosexual orientation form more positive impressions of extraverted-looking individuals. Using the original stimuli and study design (Study 1, n = 273) and two additional stimulus sets and an improved study design (Study 2, n = 367), we do not find consistent evidence for any of the proposed relationships. Our findings highlight the need for additional research to understand individual differences in social perception.

The Nomological Network of the Short Dark Tetrad Scale (SD4)

The present study examined the nomological network of the Short Dark Tetrad scale (SD4). The SD4 measures narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and sadism. We translated the original English SD4 into German and used an online sample (N = 594, 77% women) to investigate its nomological network with regard to the Big Five, honesty-humility, maladaptive personality traits, impulsivity, aggression, motives, values, sociosexual orientation, the octants of the interpersonal circumplex model, and self-esteem. The overall profile similarities between the observed and hypothesized nomological networks were very high. Few correlations differed concerning direction or magnitude. Hence, our study extends the nomological network of the Dark Tetrad in a meaningful way and suggests that the SD4 can be validly interpreted and used for the assessment of narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and sadism.

Better relationships shut the wandering eye: Sociosexual orientation mediates the association between relationship quality and infidelity intentions

People who lack quality relationships are more likely to engage in infidelity but how relationship quality is associated with infidelity is less clear. One psychological mechanism that might help to explain these associations is sociosexuality. Here, we tested two models in which we assessed whether overall sociosexuality and sociosexuality subscales (i.e., attitude, behavior, desire) explain how relationship quality is related to infidelity intentions by sampling individuals in exclusive relationships ( N = 219). We found that individuals with lower relationship quality had more unrestricted sexual orientation, which in turn predicted a greater intention toward infidelity. In addition, lower quality relationships were associated with greater intentions toward infidelity through behavior and desire, but not attitude dimensions of sociosexuality.

The role of self-control and sociosexual orientation in partner selection: A speed-dating study

Self-control is a crucial factor in maintaining an established romantic relationship, but its role in relationship formation is understudied. The current study tested whether trait self-control is related to a more selective approach toward romantic partners. Over 4 years, we organized 11 speed-date events at which a total of 342 single, heterosexual participants met potential partners. Our results indicated that there was no main effect of self-control on selectivity. However, there was an interaction between self-control and sociosexual orientation (SOI) in predicting selectivity. Specifically, self-control was positively related to selectivity for people with a restricted SOI (i.e., interested in a long-term, stable relationship). For people with an unrestricted SOI (i.e., interested in a short-term, sexual relationship), however, self-control was related to lower selectivity. Our findings point to the flexibility of self-control in facilitating goal progress, stimulating people to refrain from—or act on—their impulses, depending on their own personal mating goals.