Dark traits boost fertility

Updated: 2025.09.09 1M ago 1 sources
A cited study reports that higher scores on the Dark Tetrad (psychopathy, Machiavellianism, narcissism, sadism) are associated with having more children and reproducing earlier. If robust, this implies antisocial tendencies may confer reproductive advantages under modern conditions. — Selection favoring darker personality traits would complicate crime prevention and social‑policy strategies that assume culture alone can reverse such tendencies.

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Tweet by @degenrolf
@degenrolf 2025.09.09 100% relevant
The tweet quotes the study’s core finding: 'Psychopaths achieve greater reproductive success,' and notes associations with number of children and age of first reproduction.
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