Among children, Machiavellianism has been linked with relational aggression (aggression used to establish social hierarchies or to assert power). Among women only, Machiavellianism is associated with direct aggression. More generally, Machiavellians exploit others when profitable, but are normally restrained enough to realize that direct aggression is usually not worthwhile.

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People with higher scores in the Dark Tetrad might use aggression to deal with difficult situations and attain their goals. Dark Tetrad traits have consistently positive associations with aggressive behaviors. Psychopathy and sadism in particular have closer links with various types of aggression, including physical, verbal, between partners, prejudice, bullying, extremism, radicalization, contempt, workplace mistreatment, child corporal punishment, mild and moderate self-harm, and cheating.

The Dark Tetrad and Aggression

Paulhus, D. L., Curtis, S. R., & Jones, D. N. (2018, February). Aggression as a trait: the Dark Tetrad alternative. Current Opinion in Psychology, 19, 88–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.04.007

Aggression as a trait: the Dark Tetrad alternative

Psychopathy has a strong and direct link to physical aggression, above and beyond the common variance of the Dark Tetrad. In fact, psychopathy outperforms the other members of the Dark Tetrad in predicting physical aggression.

Psychopathy and Aggression

Narcissism has little association with aggression under normal circumstances. Any aggressive component is assumed to be accounted for by the other members of the Tetrad. Although their callous and disagreeable qualities may seem to predict violence, grandiose narcissists continue to believe others admire them and therefore only aggress when such beliefs are threatened.

Narcissism and Aggression

Sadism predicts sexual aggression in men. The Dark Tetrad, especially sadism, are key predictors of trolling and bullying behaviors online (cyber-aggression). The emergence of sadism as the primary predictor in cyber-aggression suggests that anonymity can unlock the darker side of human nature .

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