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Low Power and High Psychopathy: A Toxic Combination for Psychological Aggression.
Robert Körner1, Astrid Schütz1, Brad J Bushman2
1Department of Psychology, Otto-Friedrich-University of Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany.
Aggressive Behavior
|August 6, 2025
Summary
Low power combined with high psychopathy predicts psychological aggression in relationships. This suggests personality traits significantly influence aggressive behaviors, impacting both individuals and their partners.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Relationship Science
Background:
- Power and aggression are key relational variables with an unclear connection.
- Psychopathy, marked by low empathy, may moderate the power-aggression link.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how power influences psychological aggression in romantic relationships.
- To test psychopathy as a moderator in the relationship between power and aggression.
Main Methods:
- Two studies were conducted involving individuals and couples in romantic relationships.
- Statistical analyses examined the interplay of power, psychopathy, and psychological aggression.
Main Results:
- Power was negatively associated with psychological aggression for both individuals and their partners.
- Individuals with low power and high psychopathy exhibited the most psychological aggression.
- High psychological aggression was also reported when partners were low in power and high in psychopathy.
Conclusions:
- Psychopathy can intensify the link between low power and psychological aggression.
- Personality traits like psychopathy significantly influence both individual and interpersonal aggression dynamics.
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