Further inflaming the discussion or cooling down feelings? A network analysis of the Dark Triad and the Five Factor Model of personality

Abstract The present study aims to shed light onto the nomological network of the Dark Triad (DT) and the Five Factor Model (FFM) by investigating their facet levels using network analysis. Firstly, the networks of the DT and the FFM facets were analyzed separately and secondly, their combined network was considered in order to observe changes. 491 participants filled out several established measures to assess the constructs at facet level. Each model was analyzed regarding node strength, closeness and betweenness. Central-stability coefficients and bootstrapped difference tests were performed on these centrality indices. Our main findings indicate that interpersonal manipulation (psychopathy) is central in the DT network, while erratic lifestyle and callous affect (both psychopathy) are the most important DT facets in a combined network with FFM facets. The FFM network seems to change only slightly when the DT facets are added and DT facets cluster according to their domains.