Associations of aversive (‘dark’) traits and affiliative (‘light’) traits with moral-dilemma judgments: A preregistered exploratory analysis using the CNI model

Abstract

Despite people’s capacity for both good and evil, scant research has jointly examined the relations of affiliative and aversive traits with moral-dilemma judgments. Using the CNI model of moral-dilemma judgments, this preregistered exploratory study examined associations of aversive traits (Dark Tetrad comprising Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, sadism) and affiliative traits (Light Triad comprising Kantianism, humanism, faith in humanity) with sensitivity to consequences (C), sensitivity to moral norms (N), and general preference for inaction versus action (I) in responses to moral dilemmas. Dark Tetrad and Light Triad total scores were negatively and positively associated with sensitivity to moral norms, respectively. Sadism was the only trait-level predictor of moral-dilemma judgments, positively predicting sensitivity to consequences and negatively predicting sensitivity to moral norms.