Sending Nudes: Sex, Self-Rated Mate Value, and Trait Machiavellianism Predict Sending Unsolicited Explicit Images

Abstract

Modern dating platforms have given rise to new dating and sexual behaviors. In the current study, we examine predictors of sending unsolicited explicit images, a particularly underexplored online sexual behavior. The aim of the current study was to explore the utility of dark personality traits (i.e., narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism) and self-rated mate value in predicting attitudes toward and behavior of sending unsolicited explicit images. Two hundred and forty participants (72% female; Mage = 25.96, SD = 9.79) completed an online questionnaire which included a measure of self-rated mate value, a measure of dark personality traits, and questions regarding sending unsolicited explicit images (operationalized as the explicit image scale). Men, compared to women, were found to have higher explicit image scale scores, and both self-rated mate value and trait Machiavellianism were positive predictors of explicit image scale scores. Interestingly, there were no significant interactions between sex and these variables. Further, Machiavellianism mediated all relationships between other dark traits and explicit image scale scores, indicating this behavior is best explained by the personality trait associated with behavioral strategies. In sum, these results provide support for the premise that sending unsolicited explicit images may be a tactic of a short-term mating strategy; however, future research should further explore this claim.

iPredator: Image-Based Sexual Abuse Risk Factors and Motivators

“…Instead, I argue, that this could be explained by a higher tendency of those with sadistic traits to engage in sexting. For instance, sadism positively correlates with cyberflashing -the sending of unsolicited nude or sexual pictures to another person (March & Wagstaff, 2017). Unfortunately, to the best of my knowledge, no other work has yet explored the association between everyday sadism and consensual sexting.…”

Technology and Sexual Offending

“…The characteristic correlates with sending unsolicited sexual images (USIs) have also begun to be investigated in samples including both men and women. For example, a study found that males, as well as those with higher self-rated mate value (i.e., how desirable someone thinks they are to a potential mate), and Machiavellianism scores had higher explicit image scale scores (i.e., a variable that evaluated a participant's attitude toward and history of sending unsolicited genital images) [47]. Although, in this study, there were no significant interactions between a participant's sex, self-rated mate value, or Machiavellianism score [47].…”

“…For example, a study found that males, as well as those with higher self-rated mate value (i.e., how desirable someone thinks they are to a potential mate), and Machiavellianism scores had higher explicit image scale scores (i.e., a variable that evaluated a participant's attitude toward and history of sending unsolicited genital images) [47]. Although, in this study, there were no significant interactions between a participant's sex, self-rated mate value, or Machiavellianism score [47]. Another study found that in women having more liberal attitudes toward sending sexual images and narcissism was predictive of sending USIs [48].…”

Foodie Calls: When Women Date Men for a Free Meal (Rather Than a Relationship)

“…People high in Machiavellianism tend to manipulate and deceive others, including romantic partners, for self-interest (Miller, Lynam, Hyatt, & Campbell, 2017). Within a sample of predominately heterosexual men and women, those who scored higher in Machiavellianism were more likely to send unsolicited explicit images of themselves to coerce a desired partner into sex (March & Wagstaff, 2017). Further, heterosexual women who scored higher in Machiavellianism were more likely to fake orgasms during sex (Brewer, Abell, & Lyons, 2016).…”