Sex Differences in the Dark Triad

Abstract

Sex differences in the Dark Triad personality traits were investigated. Sample 1 consisted of 50 participants aged 19–25 (62% women). Sample 2 consisted of 420 participants aged 17–40 (60% women). Sample 3 consisted of 549 participants aged 16–84 (58% women). The Dark Triad personality traits were measured using two questionnaires adopted to Russian population (SD3 and DD) and two questionnaires, developed by the authors of this article (Portrait questionnaire, Express-questionnaire DT-17). Compared with women, men scored higher on two Dark Triad traits – Machiavellianism (Cohen’s d varied from 0,36 to 0,46) and subclinical psychopathy (Cohen’s d varied from 0,35 to 0,57). Sex differences did not depend on the tool used to measure the Dark Triad. Sex differences in narcissism were low and inconsistent. Men scored higher than women on two measures of narcissism (DT-17 and SD3) and lower than women – on the other two measures (Portrait questionnaire and DD). Cohen’s d varied from –0,16 to 0,27. Sex differences in Machiavellianism and subclinical psychopathy were considered to be middle level while sex differences in narcissism were considered to be low level.