The Evolutionary Significance of Anthropometric Variables on the ‘Dark Triad’ of Personality: Psychometrically Measured Machiavellianism, Narcissism, and Psychopathy.

Abstract

The evolutionary significance of personality in humans has sparked a great deal of research. Various theories of gene-environment interaction and gene-gene development have provided interesting perspective on the evolution and persistence of certain personality traits. Recently, the concept of developmental stability in humans has introduced the influence of anthropometric variables towards personality development. Stemming from research concerning the big five personality traits (Costa & McCrae, 1992) this study will incorporate this into the investigation of the ‘dark triad’ of personality: Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism. The study aims to assess associations between the ‘dark triad’ and various anthropometric measurements indicative of developmental stability, specifically composite measures of anatomical masculinity-femininity, physiological masculinity-femininity, muscularity, and upper body size. 145 participants took part in the study, whereby physical and psychometric personality information was compiled from 3d body scans, 3d facial images, hand scans, bicep circumference, grip strength, lung volume, upper body strength, height, weight, MACH IV (Christie & Geis, 1970), LSRP (Levenson self-report psychopathy scale; Levenson, Kiehl & Fitzpatrick, 1995), and the NARQ (Narcissistic admiration and rivalry questionnaire; Back, Küfner, Dufner et al., in publication). Significant associations were found between some anthropometric variables and the personality measures, supporting theories of the relationship between developmentally stable physical traits and the persistence of personality.