The Dark Tetrad and advantageous and disadvantageous risk-taking

Research on the Dark Tetrad and engagement in risk taking behaviour has predominately focused on the maladaptive consequences associated with risk-taking. However, risk-taking is not always maladaptive and in some contexts can be adaptive. Some characteristics of the dark traits are more likely to lead to positive outcomes than others and may prove beneficial in certain risk-taking circumstances. The current study aimed to investigate which Dark Tetrad personality traits were related to advantageous and disadvantageous risk-taking. For the purpose of this research, the life domains within the Domain Specific Risk-Taking Scale were used to conceptualise advantageous and disadvantageous risk-taking. The hypothesis that narcissism would positively predict advantageous and disadvantageous risk-taking was supported, and the hypothesis that psychopathy would positively predict advantageous and disadvantageous risk-taking was partially supported. These findings provide insight into the complex nature of the dark traits and their influence on risk-taking.