Personality and mate poaching experiences

• Published in: Personality and individual differences 2015-03, Vol.75, p.7-12
• Main Authors: Kardum, Igor, Hudek-Knezevic, Jasna, Schmitt, David P., Grundler, Petra
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Big Five personality traits; Dark triad; Mate poaching; Short-term relationship
• ISSN: 0191-8869; 1873-3549
• DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2014.10.048

•Five-factor and Dark triad traits were examined as predictors of mate poaching.•Dark triad better predicted mate poaching than five-factor personality traits.•Psychopathy and extraversion were the most consistent predictors of mate poaching.•Dark triad better predicted mate poaching in women than in men. Although previous research suggests Big Five (BF) and Dark Triad (DT) traits (Narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy) are related to mate poaching, no studies have simultaneously examined the effects of both groups of traits on poaching. This study examined BF and DT personality traits, as well as their higher order factors as predictors of mate poaching behaviors in short-term relationships among a sample of 819 university students. Results showed DT better predicted mate poaching experiences than BF traits, though they better predicted poaching success in men. Regarding specific traits, psychopathy from DT, and extraversion from BF, were the most consistent predictors of mate poaching experiences. Considering sex differences, DT better predicted being the target of poaching in women, and being successfully poached in men. There were no consistent sex differences in the effects of BF traits on mate poaching. Generally, personality traits better predicted poaching attempts, poaching success, and being the target of poaching than other poaching experiences. Possible different roles of BF and DT traits for mate poaching experiences in men and women were discussed.