I'm not sure what to make of this study. I was always taught, and firmly believe, that being a gentleman and an overall nice person is important, that others should always be treated with respect, and that politeness counts. And then
something like this comes along, which jibes intuitively with what we know, but doesn't seem to fit anything like what we also know is a strategy for societal success.
Quote:
The dark triad of traits are the self-obsession of narcissism, the impulsive, thrill-seeking and callous behaviour of psychopaths and the deceitful and exploitative nature of Machiavellianism. "We have some evidence these traits may represent a successful evolutionary strategy," Dr Jonason told New Scientist magazine.
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The dark triad approach is one way of maximising a man's reproductive potential by having sex with many females, while not bothering to stick around to help with the children. "The strategy seems to have worked. We still have these traits," Dr Jonason said.
David Schmitt, of Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, surveyed 35,000 people in 57 countries and found a similar link. "It is universal across cultures," he said.
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I got to this article via
Overcoming Bias, a blog I really like a lot. And Prof Hanson didn't even really comment on the article as much as throw the issue out for comment - does it seem correct?
Should it be correct? And perhaps most critically, what could account for women (in the aggregate, not individuals) cooperating with this strategy by continuing to give sexual rewards to men with these traits?
What do all of you think?