An effective way to deal with predators is to taste terrible: Primary and secondary psychopathy and mate preference

Abstract

a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f oDespite their reputation for taking advantage of other people, previous research shows that psychopathic individuals are attractive for short-term relationships. Furthermore, individuals with psychopathic traits have been found to be attracted to other psychopathic persons in both short and long-term relationships. The current study (N = 258), is the first to extend the investigation further by examining whether these findings pertain to the affective (i.e., primary) or behavioural (i.e., secondary) aspects of psychopathy, and if this varies according to sex. Using a series of personality profiles, we found that men and women evaluated individuals higher in primary or secondary psychopathic traits unattractive for both short and long-term relationships. However, those individuals higher in primary and secondary psychopathic traits found similar partners attractive in short and long-term relationships, and this was strongest in women higher in primary psychopathic traits for long-term relationships, and in women higher in secondary psychopathic traits for short and long-term relationships. Results are discussed from an evolutionary theoretical perspective.

“I could see, in the depth of his eyes, my own beauty reflected”: Women's assortative preference for narcissistic, but not for Machiavellian or psychopathic male faces

“…Studies investigating each trait separately have found positive assortative mating for narcissism in initial attraction, as well as in established relationships (Grosz, Dufner, Back, & Denissen, 2015;Keller et al, 2014;Lamkin, Campbell, & Miller, 2015). Others have found similarity in psychopathy and anti-social behaviour in initial attraction (Blanchard, Lyons, & Centifanti, 2016) and in couples (Boutwell, Beaver, & Barnes, 2012;Krueger, Moffitt, Caspi, Bleske, & Silva, 1998;Savard, Brassard, Lussier, & Sabourin, 2015). To our knowledge, only two studies to date have looked at all three Dark Triad traits together.…”

Dangerously Intelligent: A Call for Re-Evaluating Psychopathy Using Perceptions of Intelligence

“…To our knowledge, few studies have looked at the psychopathy sub-types and inter-personal perceptions for individuals who have similar personality traits. A study on mate choice found an effect on primary psychopathy and preference for high-primary psychopathy vignettes as romantic partners, especially in women ( Blanchard et al 2016 ). It is possible that mate preference operates via increased perceptions of intelligence.…”

“…However, previous research has not looked at how psychopathy affects the perceptions of others who are high or low in psychopathy. In the domain of mate choice, there is some evidence for ‘likes attract’, suggesting high-primary and high-secondary psychopathy relates to favourable perceptions of similar individuals as potential partners, especially in women ( Blanchard et al 2016 ). As women are more attracted to those who they perceive as intelligent ( Karbowski et al 2016 ), it would be expected that psychopathy for women has an association with perceptions of intelligence in high psychopathy opposite-sex individuals.…”

The evolution of personality disorders: A review of proposals

“…It is common in non-human animals (340), but humans also mate assortatively according to age, height, race, education level, and personality traits (341,342). Regarding personality, the strongest concordance has been found for sensation seeking, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism (343)(344)(345)(346). This would produce homozygosity for these traits and, consequently, more extreme presentations in the progeny.…”

“…For example, personality traits such as agreeableness, conscientiousness, or low neuroticism have been said to confer benefits on the carrier and to be universally preferred in prospective mates, so they could be considered to be fitness indicators ( 357 , 358 ). However, humans are strategic pluralists in the mating arena ( 217 , 359 ), and these preferences have been found to be reversed in a wide range of circumstances, e.g., when women have psychopathic traits themselves, are looking for short-term relationships, are living in a harsh environment, or are in their fertile period ( 344 , 346 , 360 , 361 ). This would rather support a balancing selection scenario.…”