Examining the connection between nature connectedness and dark personality

Abstract

The psychological construct of nature connectedness - the depth of an individual’s relationship with the natural world - has not only been associated with benefits for mental well-being but has also shown relationships with personality traits relevant to the dark personality literature. These include agreeableness, cognitive and affective empathy, and callous and uncaring traits. Across two independently-sampled studies we delineate relationships between explicit and implicit indices of nature connectedness and dark personality. In Study 1 (N = 304), psychopathy (and Machiavellianism) was associated with self-reported, but not implicitly-measured, nature connectedness. Moreover, individuals scoring high on dark personality exhibited a preference for inner-city, relative to suburban or rural living. In Study 2 (N = 209), we replicated the findings of Study 1 in relation to explicit measures of nature connectedness but did not find further relationships between dark personality and the population densities of where participants had previously lived. Limitations of implicit and pseudo indices of nature connectedness are outlined, and the results are discussed in relation to future research and the potential role of nature connectedness interventions in forensic populations. Pre-registration information: [https://osf.io/2bpwy]. Data, syntax, and manuscript pre-print: [https://osf.io/3mg5d/?view_only=b5c7749d4a7945c5a161f0915a2d0259].

Psychedelics and environmental virtues

“…Quantitative evidence shows that awe is a component of acute psychedelic experiences, and, indeed, predicts decreases in maladaptive narcissistic tendencies (van Mulukom et al 2020). This finding is especially intriguing in light of a reported negative correlation between nature-relatedness and the "Dark Triad" personality traits of narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism (Fido et al 2020). Finally, qualitative research shows that aesthetic wonder and awe in relation to nature are increased, in at least some cases, by psychedelic use: Yesterday was kinda cloudy and a little overcast, and I was driving home and there was this one small patch of clouds that was lit up bright by the sun, and it was all surrounded by these dark clouds.…”