engleski

Dark Tetrad and reactive/proactive aggression: Mediational role of empathy

Dark Tetrad traits are characterized by low empathy and increased aggression. This study explores the role of empathy in relations between the dark traits and reactive/proactive aggression. Reactive–Proactive Aggression Questionnaire, Short Dark Triad, Varieties of Sadistic Tendencies, and Affective and Cognitive Measure of Empathy were administered (N=612). All dark traits showed direct positive effects on both aggression functions. Predicting reactive aggression, both cognitive empathy and lack of affective dissonance were significant mediators for Machiavellianism and narcissism, while only lack of affective dissonance was the significant mediator for vicarious and direct sadism. Predicting proactive aggression, lack of affective dissonance was the only significant mediator for all dark traits. In all mediation effects, empathy reduced the relation between dark traits and aggression. Results highlight the importance of incorporating maladaptive aspects of empathy, like affective dissonance, in studying the relations between dark traits and aggression (Vachon et al., 2013).

Dark Tetrad ; empathy ; aggression

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