Understanding left-wing authoritarianism: Relations to the dark personality traits, altruism, and social justice commitment

Abstract In two pre-registered studies, we investigated the relationship of left-wing authoritarianism with ego-focused trait narcissism. Based on existing research, expected individuals higher levels to also report Further, as leftist political attitudes can be assumed striving for social equality, positively related prosocial traits, but narcissism remain a significant predictor above and beyond those dispositions. We our hypotheses in studies using cross-sectional correlational designs. Two nearly representative US samples (Study 1: N = 391; Study 2: 377) completed online measures authoritarianism, Dark Triad personality variables focus (i.e., altruism justice commitment). addition, assessed relevant covariates age, gender, socially desirable responding, virtue signaling). The results multiple regression analyses showed that strong ideological view, according which violent revolution against societal structures is legitimate anti-hierarchical aggression), was associated antagonistic 1) psychopathy 2). However, neither dispositional nor commitment aggression. Considering these results, assume some activists do not actually strive equality rather use activism endorse or exercise violence others satisfy their own needs. discuss relation dark-ego-vehicle principle.