Effects of Dark Triad and HEXACO traits on reactive/proactive aggression: Exploring the gender differences

The aim of this study was to analyze the contribution of the Dark Triad (psychopathy, Machiavellianism and narcissism) over HEXACO traits in explanation of two functions of aggression - reactive and proactive aggression. Given the mixed results about gender differences in adult aggression, the relations between aggression and dark and basic personality traits were analyzed separately by gender. A Reactive-Proactive Questionnaire, the Short Dark Triad, and the HEXACO-60 personality inventory were administered on a sample of 632 participants from the general population (49.9% female). Results showed that, while psychopathy highly predicted proactive aggression in males, in females Machiavellianism and HEXACO traits also had a significant contribution. In the case of reactive aggression, psychopathy and Machiavellianism had significant effects, but Agreeableness emerged as the most important predictor, in both males and females. Besides Agreeableness, Emotionality also had a significant effect on reactive aggression, but only among females. The results highlight the importance of a broader personality constellation in explanation of aggression, especially female aggression.