Dark triad traits are associated with a weaker morally-good true self bias in self-perceptions

Abstract

ABSTRACT We examined whether Dark Triad (DT) traits moderate people’s tendency to associate moral traits with their true self. We hypothesized that people high in DT traits would show a weaker tendency to view moral (vs. immoral) characteristics as central to their identity. Undergraduate participants (N = 345) rated the perceived identity centrality of positive/negative traits in domains of morality/competence, and completed measures of psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism. Positive moral (vs. immoral and positive competence) traits were seen as more identity central overall, but this effect was weaker among participants high in DT traits. Further, all DT traits negatively (positively) predicted the identity centrality of moral (immoral) traits. These findings extend work on true self-perceptions and moral identity in the Dark Triad.