Understanding Human Behavior: Examining the Dark Triad of Personality in the Light of Autism Spectrum Traits

Background: This study aims to examine the relationship between dark triad personality traits and autism spectrum traits, exploring their impact on social skills, communication, imagination, and empathy. By doing so, it seeks to contribute to psychological assessment and intervention strategies in these areas. Methods: The study was conducted with a community sample of adults aged 18 and above. Participants were invited through online platforms to complete an anonymous survey. The survey included a sociodemographic form, the short dark triad scale, and the autism spectrum quotient. Inclusion criteria required participants to be at least 18 years old, have sufficient proficiency in Turkish, and not have any known mental or developmental disabilities that could affect their ability to complete the survey. Exclusion criteria included undergoing psychiatric treatment during the study. Prior to participation, informed consent was obtained from all participants, and voluntary participation was emphasized. Results: The findings revealed a significant negative correlation between autism spectrum traits and Machiavellianism (r=-0.247, P=.001). This suggests that individuals with communication difficulties tend to struggle with manipulative or strategic social behaviors. Regarding the relationship between autism traits and narcissism, results indicated that higher autism-related imagination scores were associated with lower narcissism levels (r=-0.237, P=.002). Individuals with fewer autism traits were observed to have a stronger sense of self-worth. This finding suggests that the construction of an exaggerated self-image, a core component of narcissism, may be negatively influenced by deficits in imagination. On the other hand, no significant relationship was found between psychopathy and autism subdimensions. This indicates that the core features of psychopathy, such as emotional detachment and impulsivity, do not directly align with the structured and repetitive behaviors associated with autism. Conclusion: This study provides important insights into the impact of autism traits and dark triad characteristics on social functioning. Future research should further investigate the cognitive and emotional foundations of these traits using larger and more diverse samples.