We need to devote more time in psychology to exploring the light side of human nature, say researchers.
The dark side of human nature, encapsulated in the ‘Dark Triad’ of traits – Machiavellianism, psychopathy and narcissism – has been more heavily researched in psychology than the other extreme, and a team led by US psychologist and author Scott Barry Kaufman from Columbia University set about redressing the balance.
Through four studies with more than 1,500 online participants, the team has created a questionnaire that taps into the ‘Light Triad’. “Too much focus on one aspect of human nature at the expense of the other misrepresents the full capacities of humanity,” say researchers in the journal, Frontiers in Psychology.
Research participants rated their agreement with statements designed to tap into positive, compassionate and selfless aspects of human personality. Their scores on the Light Triad traits were negatively correlated with scores on Dark Triad traits, but only modestly, suggesting each is not merely the mirror opposite of the other, and that we all have levels of light and dark traits.
Consistent with past research, younger participants, men, those motivated by power, sex and selfish ambitions, were more likely to score higher on the Dark Triad. High scorers on the Dark Triad tended to score lower on life satisfaction, agreeableness, self-transcendent values, compassion, empathy and belief in the good of humanity. They also reported greater creativity, bravery, assertiveness and leadership.
Older people, women, those with more stable childhoods, and the more religious and spiritual, tended to score higher on the Light Triad. This was associated with higher life satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, feelings of autonomy and competence, higher conscientiousness, compassion, empathy, openness, humility and belief in the goodness of others. However, downsides included having weaker motives for achievement and self; a proclivity for interpersonal guilt, and excessive trust and compassion that could leave one open to exploitation.
Overall, researchers said that scoring higher on the Light Triad than Dark is associated with a greater quality of life.
- Read the paper: http://bit.ly/2FWBRGJ
- Take the test: http://bit.ly/2ViVSg2