Cognitive Empathy and the Dark Triad: A Literature Review
This literature review aims to analyze studies published by researchers on the topic of the relationship between the psychological constructs of the Dark Triad and Cognitive Empathy. This study hypothesizes how having good cognitive empathic skills could benefit people who demonstrate Dark Triad tra...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2254-9625/13/11/184 |
| _version_ | 1797459567155609600 |
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| author | Mirko Duradoni Mustafa Can Gursesli Maria Fiorenza Alessia Donati Andrea Guazzini |
| author_facet | Mirko Duradoni Mustafa Can Gursesli Maria Fiorenza Alessia Donati Andrea Guazzini |
| author_sort | Mirko Duradoni |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This literature review aims to analyze studies published by researchers on the topic of the relationship between the psychological constructs of the Dark Triad and Cognitive Empathy. This study hypothesizes how having good cognitive empathic skills could benefit people who demonstrate Dark Triad traits, as this could facilitate the implementation of manipulative strategies. Through the process of identifying studies via databases and registers, 23 studies were included in this literature review, and the results and theories brought forward by the researchers find more agreement regarding the individual components of the Dark Triad than the whole construct: narcissism seems to have, for the most part, relatively small and typical positive correlations (more than 50% of correlations), Machiavellianism has relatively small and typical negative relationships (about 80% of correlations), and psychopathy has relatively large negative relationships (about 90% of correlations). This study conveys that Machiavellians and psychopaths, having reduced empathic abilities, use manipulation techniques that do not have to do with empathy (for example seduction, intimidation etc.), while narcissists would be, among these three dimensions, those most likely to understand others’ states of mind and thus be able to use this knowledge to their advantage—although there are doubts about the veracity of the statements and answers given by narcissists in the tests administered to them. This literature review could be a valid aid to professionals dealing with people who exhibit Dark Triad traits; understanding how those exhibiting Dark Triad traits manage their empathic abilities, the areas in which the various dimensions show deficits or not, and how they act to implement their manipulative and controlling tactics could aid in the development of more effective helping strategies to be utilized in therapy settings. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:53:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e5d07ee3c8eb4fcdab7a126b4c71be23 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2174-8144 2254-9625 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:53:15Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education |
| spelling | doaj.art-e5d07ee3c8eb4fcdab7a126b4c71be232023-11-24T14:38:56ZengMDPI AGEuropean Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education2174-81442254-96252023-11-0113112642268010.3390/ejihpe13110184Cognitive Empathy and the Dark Triad: A Literature ReviewMirko Duradoni0Mustafa Can Gursesli1Maria Fiorenza2Alessia Donati3Andrea Guazzini4Department of Education, Literatures, Intercultural Studies, Languages and Psychology, University of Florence, 50135 Florence, ItalyDepartment of Education, Literatures, Intercultural Studies, Languages and Psychology, University of Florence, 50135 Florence, ItalyDepartment of Education, Literatures, Intercultural Studies, Languages and Psychology, University of Florence, 50135 Florence, ItalyDepartment of Education, Literatures, Intercultural Studies, Languages and Psychology, University of Florence, 50135 Florence, ItalyDepartment of Education, Literatures, Intercultural Studies, Languages and Psychology, University of Florence, 50135 Florence, ItalyThis literature review aims to analyze studies published by researchers on the topic of the relationship between the psychological constructs of the Dark Triad and Cognitive Empathy. This study hypothesizes how having good cognitive empathic skills could benefit people who demonstrate Dark Triad traits, as this could facilitate the implementation of manipulative strategies. Through the process of identifying studies via databases and registers, 23 studies were included in this literature review, and the results and theories brought forward by the researchers find more agreement regarding the individual components of the Dark Triad than the whole construct: narcissism seems to have, for the most part, relatively small and typical positive correlations (more than 50% of correlations), Machiavellianism has relatively small and typical negative relationships (about 80% of correlations), and psychopathy has relatively large negative relationships (about 90% of correlations). This study conveys that Machiavellians and psychopaths, having reduced empathic abilities, use manipulation techniques that do not have to do with empathy (for example seduction, intimidation etc.), while narcissists would be, among these three dimensions, those most likely to understand others’ states of mind and thus be able to use this knowledge to their advantage—although there are doubts about the veracity of the statements and answers given by narcissists in the tests administered to them. This literature review could be a valid aid to professionals dealing with people who exhibit Dark Triad traits; understanding how those exhibiting Dark Triad traits manage their empathic abilities, the areas in which the various dimensions show deficits or not, and how they act to implement their manipulative and controlling tactics could aid in the development of more effective helping strategies to be utilized in therapy settings.https://www.mdpi.com/2254-9625/13/11/184Dark Triadcognitive empathynarcissismMachiavellianismpsychopathyempathy |
| spellingShingle | Mirko Duradoni Mustafa Can Gursesli Maria Fiorenza Alessia Donati Andrea Guazzini Cognitive Empathy and the Dark Triad: A Literature Review European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education Dark Triad cognitive empathy narcissism Machiavellianism psychopathy empathy |
| title | Cognitive Empathy and the Dark Triad: A Literature Review |
| title_full | Cognitive Empathy and the Dark Triad: A Literature Review |
| title_fullStr | Cognitive Empathy and the Dark Triad: A Literature Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cognitive Empathy and the Dark Triad: A Literature Review |
| title_short | Cognitive Empathy and the Dark Triad: A Literature Review |
| title_sort | cognitive empathy and the dark triad a literature review |
| topic | Dark Triad cognitive empathy narcissism Machiavellianism psychopathy empathy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2254-9625/13/11/184 |
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