Do the Dark Triad traits increase risk in a losing situation?

Abstract

The article examines differences in risky gambling choices in relation to the Dark Triad: Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy. The Dark Triad has been associated with risky decision-making in a variety of situations including economic games. Furthermore, the Dark Triad was found to be associated with personality features related to risk aversion. Thus, we hypothesized that individuals with more apparent Dark Triad qualities would act riskier in games with random odds of winning. Here, we considered sensitivity to the negative experience of losing as a desire to finish the game. The study sample consisted of 462 students aged 17 to 46 (82,7% females). Participants played a computerized economic game and filled out several questionnaires for the personality characteristics examination (the Dark Triad, the Big Five, and socioeconomic level). According to the results, self-evaluation of socioeconomic level determined risky behaviour to a greater extent compared to the Dark Triad. Despite the association between the Dark Triad traits and risky behaviour, differences in the Dark Triad eliminate when controlling the self-evaluation of socioeconomic level.