Research Interests:
Psychopathy is generally considered to be a male adaptation. While studies have elucidated a relationship to freely circulating testosterone, less is known about the role of prenatal testosterone (PT) in the development of primary and... more
Psychopathy is generally considered to be a male adaptation. While studies have elucidated a relationship to freely circulating testosterone, less is known about the role of prenatal testosterone (PT) in the development of primary and secondary psychopathy and how this pertains to sex differences. In this study (N = 148), digit ratio (2D:4D) was used to investigate the relationship between prenatal testosterone and primary and secondary psychopathy. In addition, quality of recalled maternal bonding was measured to see if postnatal experience could affect the influence of PT on psychopathic behaviours. Low LH2D:4D predicted primary and secondary psychop-athy in women. In men, low maternal care predicted primary psychopathy and high maternal protection predicted secondary psychopathy. Low maternal care also predicted primary psychopathy in women. Lower levels of maternal care and higher levels of maternal control contributed to primary psychopathy above and beyond PT. Lower levels of maternal care were also an influential factor for secondary psychopathy above and beyond PT, although higher levels of mother control were not.
Research Interests:
Few studies have looked at assortative mating for the Dark Triad (i.e., Machiavellianism, psychopathy and narcissism), or assortative mating for facial characteristics related to personality. In two studies (n's = 302 and 262), we... more
Few studies have looked at assortative mating for the Dark Triad (i.e., Machiavellianism, psychopathy and narcissism), or assortative mating for facial characteristics related to personality. In two studies (n's = 302 and 262), we investigated whether women scoring high in the Dark Triad exhibited a preference for high and low Dark Triad male composite faces. In Study 1, using a two alternative forced-choice task and a short Dark Triad scale, there was little evidence for assortative mating. In Study 2, utilising a rating scale, longer personality measures, and controlling for perceptions of aggression, masculinity and dominance, we found positive assortative mating for narcissism in long-term relationships. Findings are discussed from evolutionary psychological perspective.
Sex differences in primary and secondary psychopathic traits and behaviors are consistently evidenced, although less is known about the developmental trajectories of these differences and why they might arise. In this study (N 362) we... more
Sex differences in primary and secondary psychopathic traits and behaviors are consistently
evidenced, although less is known about the developmental trajectories of
these differences and why they might arise. In this study (N 362) we investigated
whether men and women reporting higher levels of primary or secondary psychopathic
traits differed in retrospective accounts of how cold and controlling both their mother
and father were during childhood, and how anxious and avoidant they are about
contemporary relationships. Primary psychopathic traits in men related to controlling
mothers and avoidant attachment, whereas in women they related to uncaring fathers
and both anxious and avoidant attachment. Secondary psychopathic traits in men were
predicted by uncaring mothers and fathers, as well as anxious attachment, whereas in
women, neither parental bonding nor attachment style were related. Results are discussed
from an evolutionary, life history theory paradigm.
evidenced, although less is known about the developmental trajectories of
these differences and why they might arise. In this study (N 362) we investigated
whether men and women reporting higher levels of primary or secondary psychopathic
traits differed in retrospective accounts of how cold and controlling both their mother
and father were during childhood, and how anxious and avoidant they are about
contemporary relationships. Primary psychopathic traits in men related to controlling
mothers and avoidant attachment, whereas in women they related to uncaring fathers
and both anxious and avoidant attachment. Secondary psychopathic traits in men were
predicted by uncaring mothers and fathers, as well as anxious attachment, whereas in
women, neither parental bonding nor attachment style were related. Results are discussed
from an evolutionary, life history theory paradigm.
Research Interests:
Previous research on the Dark Triad traits (i.e., Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism) has focused solely on the role the Dark Triad traits played in mate choice of actors. The current study (N = 336) extends this by... more
Previous research on the Dark Triad traits (i.e., Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism) has focused solely on the role the Dark Triad traits played in mate choice of actors. The current study (N = 336) extends this by manipulating the apparent levels of Dark Triad traits in targets and correlating mate choice in these targets with individual differences in the Dark Triad traits in actors. As expected, both sexes preferred partners low in the Dark Triad traits for long-term mating, while those high in these traits were preferred for one-night stands. However, women high in psychopathy considered the Dark Triad traits in potential male partners more physically attractive and desirable for an one-night stand, as well as a potential husband. Men who were high on psychopathy were likewise attracted to psychop-athy in potential mothers. Our findings are discussed from an evolutionary personality paradigm.
Research Interests:
Despite their reputation for taking advantage of other people, previous research shows that psychopathic individuals are attractive for short-term relationships. Furthermore, individuals with psychopathic traits have been found to be... more
Despite their reputation for taking advantage of other people, previous research shows that psychopathic individuals
are attractive for short-term relationships. Furthermore, individuals with psychopathic traits have been
found to be attracted to other psychopathic persons in both short and long-term relationships. The current
study (N = 258), is the first to extend the investigation further by examining whether these findings pertain
to the affective (i.e., primary) or behavioural (i.e., secondary) aspects of psychopathy, and if this varies according
to sex. Using a series of personality profiles, we found that men and women evaluated individuals higher in primary
or secondary psychopathic traits unattractive for both short and long-term relationships. However, those
individuals higher in primary and secondary psychopathic traits found similar partners attractive in short and
long-termrelationships, and thiswas strongest inwomen higher in primary psychopathic traits for long-termrelationships,
and inwomen higher in secondary psychopathic traits for short and long-term relationships. Results
are discussed from an evolutionary theoretical perspective.
are attractive for short-term relationships. Furthermore, individuals with psychopathic traits have been
found to be attracted to other psychopathic persons in both short and long-term relationships. The current
study (N = 258), is the first to extend the investigation further by examining whether these findings pertain
to the affective (i.e., primary) or behavioural (i.e., secondary) aspects of psychopathy, and if this varies according
to sex. Using a series of personality profiles, we found that men and women evaluated individuals higher in primary
or secondary psychopathic traits unattractive for both short and long-term relationships. However, those
individuals higher in primary and secondary psychopathic traits found similar partners attractive in short and
long-termrelationships, and thiswas strongest inwomen higher in primary psychopathic traits for long-termrelationships,
and inwomen higher in secondary psychopathic traits for short and long-term relationships. Results
are discussed from an evolutionary theoretical perspective.