The Dark Triad traits through the lens of Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory ¬リニ

Article history: Received 12 June 2015 Received in revised form 28 October 2015 Accepted 13 November 2015 Available online 21 November 2015 In two studies (N=504)we looked through the lens of Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory to understand the Dark Triad traits (i.e., narcissism, psychopathy, andMachiavellianism). In Study 1, the Dark Triad traitswere correlated with negative affectivity, reward sensitivity, the fight system, and dysfunctional impulsivity. In Study 2, the Dark Triad traits were associatedwith a fight response. Sex differences in the Dark Triad traits were present in Study 1 but proved more allusive in Study 2, but were mediated by individual differences in fight systems (Study 2) and reward and punishment sensitivity (Study 1). Narcissism was associated with Behavioral Activation and Inhibition Systems across studies andmeasures. Results are consistentwith the adaptive coordination expected by evolutionary psychologists who study the Dark Triad traits. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.