The dark side of equity sensitivity

• We examined the relations between the Dark Triad traits and equity sensitivity.
• Machiavellianism and psychopathy were negatively related to equity sensitivity.
• Narcissism was unrelated to equity sensitivity.
• Machiavellianism and psychopathy predicted unique variance in equity sensitivity.
• The Short Dark Triad predicted incremental variance over and above the Dirty Dozen.

The current study adds to our understanding of the nomological network associated with equity sensitivity by examining its relations with the Dark Triad traits. Participants were 829 university students who completed the Equity Preference Questionnaire and two recently developed measures of the Dark Triad – the Dirty Dozen and the Short Dark Triad. It was hypothesized that Machiavellianism and psychopathy would both be negatively correlated with – and predict unique variance in – equity sensitivity, whereas narcissism would be uncorrelated. Results of correlational and multiple regression analyses supported the hypotheses. Furthermore, it was found that the Short Dark Triad predicted incremental variance in equity sensitivity unaccounted for by the Dirty Dozen.