In films, are typically portrayed as men—think Patrick Bateman in “American Psycho” or the Joker in “The Dark Knight.” A rare exception is Villanelle, played by Jodie Comer in the hit series “Killing Eve.”
A university team surveyed 492 adult men and women to explore the connection between emotional functioning and the dark , known as the dark triad. Further analysis revealed that higher levels of alexithymia and anhedonia are linked to psychopathy, but only in women.
Alexithymia, or emotional blindness, is characterized by an inability to understand one’s own emotions. Anhedonia, on the other hand, is marked by a near-total lack of pleasure, motivation, and interest.
“These associations are not the same across genders: they are clearly present in , while absent in men. This difference can be explained by biological (hormonal and neuroendocrine) factors, sociocultural influences related to gender roles, and various methods of emotional regulation,” the researchers noted.
To recap, the dark triad refers to a psychological concept that combines three personality traits: narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. involves an inflated sense of self-importance. Machiavellianism is the tendency to manipulate, deceive, and focus on personal interests. Psychopathy is associated with impulsivity, a lack of empathy, and disregard for the feelings of others.
Previous studies have identified a link between the dark triad and several character traits, including hostility toward animals, humiliation of others, and loneliness. However, the connection between dark traits and emotional dysfunction has remained unclear.
As the scientists pointed out in an article published in the journal Behavioural Sciences, the dark triad is traditionally associated with external behavior (shifting responsibility for one’s life onto external circumstances) and a lack of empathy. However, “new data suggest that these traits are also linked to internal emotional vulnerability,” the researchers stated.
What Explains the Differences in Female Psychopathy?
Thus, in women, unlike in , the traits of the dark triad were closely associated with emotional dysfunction, specifically alexithymia and anhedonia. The reasons for this discrepancy are not fully understood. In an attempt to explain it, researchers proposed three main theories.
First, these differences may be due to biological factors. “Testosterone, which is typically higher in men than in women, is associated with traits such as dominance, impulsivity, and risk-taking,” the scientists explained.
The second factor may be sociocultural influences. The third explanation is likely the theory of emotional regulation. “Women with pronounced psychopathic traits often have a history of emotional disorders or early trauma and tend to exhibit more marginal personality traits than men,” the researchers noted.
What Do Other Scientists Think About This?
The new analysis was conducted shortly after another study by researchers at Anglia Ruskin University (UK) revealed that female psychopaths are more common than we think. Scientists have simply “struggled to identify them for a long time.”
In an interview with Daily Mail, Dr. Clive Boddy, co-author of the previous study, confirmed that the signs of psychopathy in women differ from those in men.
“Psychopaths are driven by a need to exert power over others and control them using any available resources. In male psychopaths, this may manifest as physical dominance through violence, bullying, and threats. In female psychopaths, it often takes the form of manipulation through seduction, relational aggression, spreading rumors, and lying about others for personal gain and advantage,” Dr. Boddy explained.
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