Self-Solicitation of a Provisional Self: The Dark Triad and Spontaneous Self-Concept Content
Abstract
Higher levels of Dark Triad traits (Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism) are considered to be self-defeating, maladaptive, and can potentially interfere with the ability to develop a strong sense of self. Despite this, previous research has not examined the extent to which self-concept content differs for individuals in relation to levels of Dark Triad traits. The current study examined sense of self and self-concept content related to increased Dark Triad trait levels based on fundamentals of self-solicitation theory (Rhodewalt & Tragakis, 2002). Whereas most individuals develop a strong sense of self through self-verification of stable self-concepts (Swann, 1985), those with a weaker sense of self solicit malleable self-concept content. Self-concept content was assessed via a spontaneous self-concept task. It was hypothesized that (1) increased Dark Triad traits would predict decreased trait-term usage in self-concept content; (2) increased Dark Triad traits would predict increased state-term usage in self-concept content; (3) higher levels of Dark Triad traits would be associated with inner-directedness; (4) increased Dark Triad traits would predict a weak sense of self; and (5) a weak sense of self would mediate the relationship between increased Dark Triad traits and trait- and state-term usage in self-concept content. The results revealed that an increased level of Dark Triad traits significantly predicted decreased trait- and increased state-term usage in self-concept content, and that this relationship was mediated by a weak sense of self. Dark Triad traits were not positively correlated with inner-directedness.