Teasing Friends and Family: Dark Tetrad Traits Predict Interference in Romantic Relationships of Disliked Couples

https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075211001127

Explanation

The purpose of this study was to assess whether people with the Dark Triad, a socially aversive personality trait that includes narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism, predict interference in scores of friends and family members.

In Study 1, 206 people were asked to select a friend with whom they currently dislike or disapprove of a romantic relationship. They then completed a measure of the frequency of interference in the relationship of the disliked couple, the Dark Tetrad, and indicated additional measures of interest (e.g., gender, proximity to the target of the interference).

In Study 2, 180 individuals selected a family member who was currently in a previously disliked relationship prior to completion of the same measure.

Both studies found that dark personality and closeness to friends and family were positively correlated with relationship interference. Furthermore, when controlling for dark personality and other dark triad traits, sadism was found to predict interference in relationships, especially with friends.

High narcissism and low Machiavellianism predicted interference in family relationships, results that explain the dark personality traits and their impact on relationships.