Are There Unexplained Financial Rewards for the Snakes in Suits? A Labour Market Analysis of the Dark Triad of Personality

Abstract

The Big Five personality test is used to generate psychopathy, narcissism and Machiavellianism scores using a large UK individual level micro data set. These scores show that high levels of narcissism and Machiavellianism can be associated with a higher incidence of employment in managerial occupations, whilst high levels of psychopathy is related to higher employment in the other services sector. The paper finds a wage premium to Machiavellianism that is largest at the 90 th percentile, over and above all productivity related explanations.The average hourly wage increase for a one-point move up the Machiavellianism scale is around 2.1 percent.

Psychopathy facilitates workplace success

“…It is clear that these measures must yield different results compared to those where psychopathy is operationalized in a comprehensive and multidimensional manner (this is particularly relevant to the SD3 measure of psychopathy, which is often used in research and which, in fact, examines maladaptive or unsuccessful psychopathy in the light of accentuated impulsivity and vindictiveness). On the other hand, previous research has shown that the trait of Machiavellianism (which depicts manipulative and deceitful behaviour and is therefore similar to the factor of Ruthless Manipulation isolated in this study) is positively related to the amount of personal income (Lindley, 2018;Spurk et al, 2016). In sum, researchers should be very careful regarding the specific measure of psychopathy they use in their research, and interpret their findings in the light of the administered scale's content.…”

When the Dark Shines: The Role of Dark Personality Traits in Leadership Role Occupancy and Hiring Decisions in a Collectivistic Culture

“…Some studies found that people high in narcissism exhibit a strong interest in being leaders early in their careers (Kowalski, Vernon, & Schermer, 2017; Lindley, 2018), so they proactively seek such positions in organizations (Campbell & Campbell, 2009). This interest is aided by their better hiring prospects during job interviews (Paulhus et al, 2013) in which, as replicated in our Study 2, participants high in narcissism tend to be evaluated more favorably (Campbell & Campbell, 2009).…”

“…This interest is aided by their better hiring prospects during job interviews (Paulhus et al, 2013) in which, as replicated in our Study 2, participants high in narcissism tend to be evaluated more favorably (Campbell & Campbell, 2009). This could be why people high in narcissism are much more likely to be employed as managers (Lindley, 2018). Narcissism is particularly effective in leadership occupancy within the Indonesian educational setting as examined in Study 1.…”

“…Some research has noted that people high in narcissism who are confident, outgoing, charming, attractive, and entertaining (Goncalo, Flynn, & Kim, 2010; Holtzman, Vazire, & Mehl, 2010) are likely to emerge as leaders (Brunell et al, 2008; Grijalva et al, 2015; Harms, Spain, & Hannah, 2011; Ong, Roberts, Arthur, Woodman, & Akehurst, 2016; Paunonen, Lönnqvist, Verkasalo, Leikas, & Nissinen, 2006). Moreover, Lindley (2018) has noted that those who are highly in narcissism are much more likely to be employed as managers. Paulhus, Westlake, Calvez, and Harms (2013) and Grijalva and Newman (2015) also have found that narcissism is a weaker but still significant predictor of positive occupational outcomes specifically among Asian participants.…”

“…Studies have shown that Machiavellianism is beneficial for attaining leadership positions (Dahling, Whitaker, & Levy, 2009; Spurk et al, 2016). People high in Machiavellianism are more likely to obtain their desired career choices (Dahling et al, 2009) and be hired in managerial positions (Lindley, 2018). Moreover, in a job interview, Hogue, Levashina, and Hang (2013) found that individuals high in Machiavellianism were more likely to use diverse tactics such as self-enhancement, image protection, and interpersonal manipulation to create a positive impression for the job interviewer, which might increase their chances of being hired for a job.…”