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Dark Triad Traits and Mate Retention Behaviors in Romantic Couples: The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model
Igor Kardum1, Jasna Hudek-Knezevic1, Nermina Mehic1
1Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Rijeka, Croatia.
Summary
The Dark Triad traits, particularly psychopathy, significantly influence mate retention behaviors in heterosexual couples. Men
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- The Dark Triad comprises psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism, personality traits associated with manipulative and antisocial behaviors.
- Mate retention strategies are crucial for relationship stability and involve behaviors aimed at keeping a partner.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of the Dark Triad traits on mate retention behaviors within heterosexual romantic couples.
- To differentiate the effects of psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism on cost-inflicting and benefit-provisioning mate retention.
Main Methods:
- Employed actor-partner interdependence modeling (APIM) on a sample of 100 heterosexual romantic couples.
- Analyzed actor and partner effects of the Dark Triad traits on mate retention domains, both with and without controlling for trait overlap.
- Examined specific domains: cost-inflicting behaviors (C-I B) and benefit-provisioning behaviors (B-P B).
Main Results:
- Dark Triad traits showed stronger actor effects in men and greater partner effects from men on women's mate retention.
- Psychopathy exhibited the most substantial actor and partner effects on mate retention behaviors for both genders.
- Actor effects on C-I B were found only in men, while actor effects on B-P B were observed in both men and women.
- Partner effects of Dark Triad traits were stronger on C-I B than B-P B, particularly for men.
- Psychopathy and narcissism effects remained significant after controlling for trait overlap, unlike Machiavellianism.
Conclusions:
- Psychopathy and narcissism are robust predictors of mate retention behaviors, with distinct actor and partner effects.
- Gender differences exist in how Dark Triad traits influence mate retention, with men's traits having a more pronounced impact on partners.
- Actor-only and couple-based patterns were the most common dyadic structures observed in mate retention behaviors.
Keywords:
Machiavellianismactor–partner interdependence modelinginfidelitymate retention behaviorsnarcissismpsychopathythe Dark Triad traitsMore Related Videos
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