Narcissists report high emotional intelligence but perform worse on objective tests

An online survey in Spain found that the link between the Dark Triad traits and emotional intelligence depends on the assessment method used. One assessment indicated that individuals with pronounced narcissism and psychopathy tend to have lower emotional intelligence, while another suggested that individuals with pronounced narcissism tend to report higher emotional intelligence. The research was published in Personality and Individual Differences.

The Dark Triad traits are three closely related but distinct personality characteristics: narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. Narcissism involves grandiosity, a sense of entitlement, and a constant need for admiration. Machiavellianism is characterized by manipulation, deceit, and a strategic, emotionally detached approach to relationships. Psychopathy includes traits such as impulsivity, lack of empathy or remorse, and antisocial behavior.

These traits are considered socially aversive and are associated with unethical, exploitative, or harmful behaviors. Research has linked the Dark Triad to outcomes like aggression, dishonesty, and reduced empathy. Individuals high in these traits may appear charming or confident but often prioritize their own interests at others’ expense. Psychologists study the Dark Triad to better understand destructive interpersonal dynamics, especially in the workplace or intimate relationships.

Study author Louana Marie Denogent and her colleagues sought to explore the link between Dark Triad traits and emotional intelligence. They note that emotional intelligence is defined as “the ability to perceive accurately, appraise, and express emotion; the ability to access and generate feelings when they facilitate thought; the ability to understand emotion and emotional knowledge; and the ability to regulate emotions to promote emotional and intellectual growth.”

Researchers have long been interested in how the Dark Triad traits relate to emotional intelligence, since these traits often involve manipulating others’ emotions or being insensitive to them. However, findings from prior studies have been inconsistent.

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Participants in the new study were 222 students from the University of Málaga, Spain, with an average age of 22. About 78% of the participants were women.

They completed an online survey using the LimeSurvey platform. The survey included two assessments of emotional intelligence: the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT), a performance-based measure, and the Trait Meta Mood Scale (TMMS-24), a self-report measure. It also included the Short Dark Triad, which evaluates narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy.

Results showed that men scored significantly higher than women on all three Dark Triad traits. Women scored higher than men on the performance-based emotional intelligence test (MSCEIT), particularly in emotional management. However, there were no significant sex differences in the self-reported emotional intelligence scores (TMMS-24).

In terms of the relationship between personality and emotional intelligence, individuals with higher levels of narcissism and psychopathy tended to score lower on the MSCEIT. But when emotional intelligence was measured with the TMMS-24, higher narcissism was associated with higher self-reported emotional intelligence.

“This study found a negative relationship between psychopathy, narcissism, and EI [emotional intelligence] in performance-based assessments but not in self-reports. Additionally, we identified sex differences in the study variables. Therefore, the nature of the association between DT [Dark Triad] traits and EI may vary according to sex and EI measures. Based on our findings, performance-based EI could be a potential protective factor against the typical DT associated behaviors, such as aggression, impulsivity, and deceit tactics,” the study authors concluded.

The study contributes to the scientific understanding of the relationship between the Dark Triad traits and emotional intelligence. However, it is important to note that the MSCEIT is a performance-based test, where respondents must solve emotion-related tasks with objectively correct answers. In contrast, the TMMS-24 is a self-report questionnaire, which relies on participants’ subjective evaluations of their own emotional abilities.

Emotional intelligence is generally defined as a mental ability. Self-report measures, in general, are poor indicators of actual ability, since people can easily claim to possess a skill they don’t truly have. In contrast, solving tasks that require a real ability is much harder to fake.

The paper, “Comparative analysis of Dark Triad traits in relation to performance and self-reported emotional intelligence,” was authored by Louana Marie Denogent, Alberto Megías-Robles, Pablo Fernandez-Berrocal, and Raquel Gomez-Leal.