An effective way to deal with predators is to taste terrible: Primary and secondary psychopathy and mate preference

Blanchard, Alyson; Lyons, Minna; Centifanti, Luna

Abstract

Despite their reputation for taking advantage of other people, previous research shows that psychopathic individuals are attractive for short-term relationships. Furthermore, individuals with psychopathic traits have been found to be attracted to other psychopathic persons in both short and long-term relationships. The current study (N = 258), is the first to extend the investigation further by examining whether these findings pertain to the affective (i.e., primary) or behavioural (i.e., secondary) aspects of psychopathy, and if this varies according to sex. Using a series of personality profiles, we found that men and women evaluated individuals higher in primary or secondary psychopathic traits unattractive for both short and long-term relationships. However, those individuals higher in primary and secondary psychopathic traits found similar partners attractive in short and long-term relationships, and this was strongest in women higher in primary psychopathic traits for long-term relationships, and in women higher in secondary psychopathic traits for short and long-term relationships. Results are discussed from an evolutionary theoretical perspective.

Citation

Blanchard, A., Lyons, M., & Centifanti, L. (2016). An effective way to deal with predators is to taste terrible: Primary and secondary psychopathy and mate preference. Personality and Individual Differences, 92, 128-134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2015.12.024

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 16, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Dec 29, 2015
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Deposit Date: Oct 30, 2023
• Journal: Personality and Individual Differences
• Print ISSN: 0191-8869
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 92
• Pages: 128-134
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2015.12.024