Empathy and Dark Personalities

Abstract

Callousness or low empathy is a key feature of the so-called dark personality traits, in which the interest has been exponentially rising. The most prominent dark personality traits models are the Dark Triad, comprising three distinct, but overlapping traits: Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy, and the Dark Tetrad, with the addition of sadism. Although both theoretical conceptualizations and empirical findings point to impaired empathy as the core of dark personalities, the associations between specific forms of empathy and dark traits are not so consistent. Thus, this chapter aims to provide a critical review of existing findings on the relationship between dark personality traits and specific forms of empathy. Moreover, it aims to offer interesting insights into empathy intervention possibilities in individuals with pronounced dark traits.

The dark side of personality functioning: associations between antisocial cognitions, personality functioning (AMPD), empathy and mentalisation

“…Recently, however, attention has also been given to the relationship between impaired personality functioning and antisocial personality traits, motivated by the notion that empathy especially may be impaired in antisocial individuals ( 19 – 22 ). The AMPD offers a description of the personality functioning of the antisocial personality as distorted mental representations of self and others.…”