Date of Award

2021

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Abstract

The Dark Triad of personality, which consists of three distinct, yet interrelated personality constructs—Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy has garnered considerable interest from both scholars and the general public. All three traits share a callous and antagonistic core that engenders various forms of manipulation and exploitation. Previous research has linked all three Dark Triad traits to emotional manipulation, which pertains to the malicious use of emotional skills for self-serving reasons. However, the mechanisms that give rise to emotional manipulation among dark personalities are not fully understood. The present study sought to examine the potential mediating variables involved in the relationship between the Dark Triad of Personality and emotional manipulation. The following mediators were examined: dispositional contempt, hypercompetitive attitudes, hubristic pride, cognitive empathy, dominance, and spitefulness. A conceptual model with paths from all three Dark Triad traits to each hypothesized mediator was generated. Additionally, the moderating effects of all three Dark Triad traits on the relationship between gender and emotional manipulation, and emotional intelligence and emotional manipulation were investigated. Participants (N=247) completed a battery of self-report measures assessing each Dark Triad trait, the perceived ability to emotionally manipulate others, willingness to engage in emotional manipulation, emotional intelligence, and all of the hypothesized mediators. The results of the path analyses revealed that hypercompetitive attitudes mediated the relationship between Machiavellianism, narcissism, and the willingness to emotionally manipulate others. In contrast, the relationship between all three Dark Triad traits and the perceived ability to engage in emotional manipulation was transmitted via dominance. No evidence of moderation or additional mediation was observed. The results remained significant even after statistically controlling for affective empathy and social desirability. These findings are important because they suggest that the manipulative behavior exhibited by dark personalities may be driven in part by the desire to compete and win at any cost and establish control over other people. The limitations of the study and implications for further research and clinical practice are discussed in conjunction with the observed results.

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