Not everyone adheres to COVID-19 preventive measures with equal commitment. Emerging research highlights how personality traits like psychopathy and narcissism influence compliance.
Recent discussions have explored why men comply less with masking than women, reflecting gender differences in risk perception. Men tend to exhibit lower altruism and higher self-interest on average. Some also view masks as uncool, a sign of weakness, or even shameful.
Beyond gender, could specific personality traits drive varying adherence to these measures? A forthcoming study in the journal Personality and Individual Differences investigates the Dark Triad—narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism.
Lead researcher Magdalena Zemojtel-Piotrowska notes these traits correlate with low empathy. During the pandemic, this manifested as denial of coronavirus protections and a propensity for panic-buying, as if preparing for an apocalypse.
Conducted early in the pandemic among 755 Poles, the study found those scoring high on Dark Triad traits fixated more on prevention's downsides than benefits. These individuals are often impulsive, prioritize personal gain, and embrace risk.
Yet, the modest sample size and low correlation strength warrant caution. Zemojtel-Piotrowska emphasizes that 'dark' personalities aren't inherently more problematic during crises.
Beliefs—often shaped by misinformation—play a pivotal role alongside traits. Targeting beliefs offers promise, as reshaping personality is far harder. The study recommends clearly demonstrating prevention's benefits to encourage buy-in.
