The concept of the Dark Triad of the Personality was created in psychology. This theory comprises narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. this triad of traits socially undesirable is present in all, but in different degrees. However psychologists have made a connection between the sense of humor of people who show more of it.
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Check now what were the conclusions of the professionals about the relationship of the dark triad of personality with a sense of humor.
Narcissism, Machiavellianism, Psychopathy, and a Sense of Humor
Study carried out with 715 Italian adults aged between 19 and 83 years and conducted by three psychologists – Alberto Dionigi, Mirko Duradoni and Laura Vagnoli – correlated this personality triad with the sense of humor. See how the study was conducted and what results can be interpreted from it.
- How was the study carried out?
To be part of the research, adults filled out the Short Dark Triad, which is nothing more than a questionnaire that sought to measure dark personality traits. After providing the information, they completed the Comic Style Markers, an assessment made up of eight different types of comics. Each story had a style of humor: there were lighter and darker, nonsense, ironic, satirical, sarcastic and cynical.
- What types of humor are addressed in the study?
There is the light style of humor, such as fun, humor, wit and absurdity. They are known as positive styles, since they are related to benign behaviors and cognitions, that is, grace does not come from prejudiced and hateful thoughts that lead to a joke with a level of humiliation or suffering.
But there is also the dark style of humor. This includes irony, cynicism, sarcasm and satire. Usually all of them are associated with mockery, humiliation and ridicule, in addition, they are often linked to psychological discomfort.
- What type of humor is most common among people?
The research was divided according to the age and gender of the patients.
However, what all groups had in common was the fact that dark styles of humor were closely related to patients with strong traits of narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy.
There were notable differences between the trio itself, i.e., people with more pronounced traits of narcissism. they liked one type of humor more, unlike respondents with greater traits of psychopathy, for example.
- What were the differences between the three dark traits?
According to research, Machiavellianism is more associated with ironic and cynical humor. One of the possible interpretations is due to the fact that Machiavellians are intimidating and unscrupulous individuals, as well as manipulators. Narcissists are more likely to enjoy positive humor, as this seems to be a way to improve their own reputations. Those with psychopathic traits preferred styles of satire, sarcasm and cynicism.
