Differential association theory, the Dark Triad of personality and the prediction of antisocial behaviour

Research has not investigated differential association theory alongside personality traits in predicting antisocial behaviour. The current study, consisting of 348 adults (M = 34.7 years, 66.1% female) from the general public, investigated how well differential association theory, alongside the Dark Triad, predicts antisocial behaviour. Results of standard multiple regression analyses indicated: (1) narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy positively predicted antisocial behaviour, (2) total psychopathy was a significantly stronger predictor (p < .001, 95 % CI [0.02, 0.05]) of antisocial behaviour than narcissism or Machiavellianism, and, (3) lifestyle features were a significantly stronger predictor (beta = 0.33, p < .001) of antisocial behaviour than interpersonal/affective features. A hierarchical regression analysis indicated: (4) narcissism, Machiavellianism and total psychopathy predicted a significant amount of additional variance in antisocial behaviour, after accounting for the influence of individual definitions and others' definitions of crime. These findings may provide target areas for interventions in reducing antisocial behaviour.