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Where the psychological adaptations hit the ecological road

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2017

Peter K. Jonason  and
David P. Schmitt
Peter K. Jonason
Affiliation:
School of School of Social Sciences and Psychology, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia p.jonason@westernsydney.edu.au www.peterjonason.com
David P. Schmitt
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Bradley University, Peoria, IL 61625. dps@fsmail.bradley.edu http://www.bradley.edu/academic/departments/psychology/faculty/profile.dot?id=132756
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Abstract

We argue that the target authors focus too much on adaptive behavioral responses and not enough on actual psychological adaptations. We suggest the Dark Triad traits may represent facultative, psychological adaptations sensitive to seasonal variance and food shortages. We document that shorter distances from the equator are linked to higher national narcissism levels, whereas longer distances are associated with higher national-level machiavellianism. Dark Triad traits may serve as critical survival mechanisms when prioritizing oneself over and/or at the cost of others.

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Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 40 , 2017 , e87
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Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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