The Antihero in Popular Culture: Life History Theory and the Dark Triad Personality Traits

Abstract

The Dark Triad of personality is composed of narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism. Despite the common belief that these traits are undesirable, the media is awash with characters that embody the Dark Triad. Characters like Gregory House, M.D., Batman (a.k.a. the Dark Knight), and James Bond all embody these traits and are some of the most popular media franchises today. As entertaining as these characters are, they provide us with a window into the dark side of human nature. Instead of treating the dark side of human nature as inherently maladaptive, we provide an alternative view that, despite their costs, traits like these can confer reproductive and survival benefits for the individual. In so doing, we review the research on the Dark Triad traits and provide a theoretical account for how these traits can confer some positive benefits. To facilitate comprehension, we provide examples taken from the media to show how evolutionary psychology and popular culture intersect.

Seeing but Not Feeling: Machiavellian Traits in Relation to Physiological Empathetic Responding and Life Experiences

“…Television shows have often displayed figures such as Gregory House, M.D., Batman (a.k.a. the Dark Night), and James Bond as possessing high levels of Machiavellian traits while being successful and dominant in at least one primary area of their lives (Jonason et al 2012). What is seen as maladaptive personality marked by increased levels of self-interest can be conceptualized within life-history theory as adaptive within a fast life history strategy (Buss 2009).…”

“…Machiavellianism is one of the three components of the dark triad, which represents the most prominent and socially aversive personalities (psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism) (Wai and Tiliopoulos 2012). The three traits are moderately intercorrelated in disagreeableness, dishonesty, aggressiveness, and deficits in empathy (Jonason et al 2012;Wai and Tiliopoulos 2012).…”

“…This type of control and leadership is often observed through the use of a mix of prosocial and coercive social strategies, a term referred to as bi-strategic controller (Hawley 2003a, b). In addition, the Life History Theory indicates that Machiavellian personality traits may be beneficial to individuals pursuing a fast life strategy (Buss 2009;Jonason et al 2012).…”

Employee Maintenance: Examining Employment Relationships from the Perspective of Managerial Leaders

“…Psychopathy is characterized by a tendency to manipulate others, egocentricity, greed, cold affect, impulsive thrill-seeking, and antisocial behavior (Hare, 2003;Paulhus & Williams, 2002;Williams, Nathanson, & Paulhus, 2003). Although differences have been found in dark triad trait nomological networks (O'Boyle, Forsyth, Banks, & McDaniel, 2012), they share tendencies for manipulation, exploitation, and callous disregard for the well-being of others (Jonason, Webster, Schmitt, Li, & Crysel, 2012;Jones & Figueredo, 2013;Jones & Paulhus, 2011;Nagler, Reiter, Furtner, & Rauthmann, 2014). Extending beyond the dark triad are factors like entitlement, careerism, and political behavior.…”

Relationships between the Dark Triad and Delayed Gratification: An Evolutionary Perspective

“…Despite traditional views that focus on the maladaptive and pathological nature of the Dark Triad traits (e.g., Kowalski, 2001), recent work suggests that they might be adaptive in terms of a particular life history strategy; one that is characterized by selfishness and immediate gratification (Figueredo et al, 2005;Jonason, Koenig, & Tost, 2010a;Jonason, Li, & Teicher, 2010b;Jonason, Webster, Schmitt, Li, & Crysel, 2012). However, traits within the Dark Triad may only be advantageous in certain contexts in which self-serving, goal-directed behavior is relevant.…”