Do we need “dark” traits to explain materialism? The incremental validity of the Dark Triad over the HEXACO domains in predicting materialistic orientation

• The Dark Triad predicted 21–36% of materialism and its facets.
• Narcissism and Machiavellianism were positive predictors of materialism.
• The relationship between triarchic psychopathy and materialism was inconsistent.
• Narcissism and Machiavellianism predicted materialism over and above the HEXACO.

The relationships between the Dark Triad traits (narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy) and materialism were investigated in a sample from the general population (N = 378). The triarchic psychopathy model (comprising meanness, boldness and disinhibition) was used in this study. The Dark Triad predicted 21–36% of materialism and its facets and the most powerful positive predictors were narcissism and Machiavellianism. The associations of the psychopathy constructs with materialism were weaker and inconsistent – positive for meanness and disinhibition and non-existent or negative (when controlling for narcissism) for boldness. The HEXACO traits significantly predicted 29–51% of materialism variance and the strongest negative predictor was Honesty-Humility. Narcissism and Machiavellianism added incrementally to the prediction of materialism, beyond the variance accounted for by the HEXACO domains.