Women Tend to Find Men with Psychopathic Traits More Trustworthy and Attractive
A study from Hunan Normal University, published in *Personality and Individual Differences*, reveals that women may perceive men with “dark triad” traits—narcissism (self-perceived superiority), Machiavellianism (manipulative tendencies), and psychopathy (emotional detachment, impulsivity, and lack of empathy)—as both more attractive and trustworthy.
The research involved 612 women who evaluated photographs of men displaying varying levels of these traits. Participants rated the men’s trustworthiness and allocated virtual money in a game based on the images. They also assessed the men’s attractiveness, dominance, and extroversion. A follow-up experiment with new photos and participants reinforced the findings: men with psychopathic traits were consistently seen as more reliable and appealing, with dominance and extroversion playing a lesser role.
Lead researcher Professor Qi Wu explained that appearances and behaviors associated with these traits can create a misleading sense of trustworthiness, often helping individuals gain favor in brief encounters or professional settings where first impressions matter. The researchers caution against snap judgments, urging people to evaluate others based on their actions over time.
