Title: Study Links Dark Personality Traits to Attitudes Toward Animals

A recent study from Serbia suggests that individuals who do not have a fondness for animals may exhibit personality traits commonly associated with psychopathy. Researchers at the University of Belgrade found that people displaying characteristics such as impulsivity, deceitfulness, and superficiality are more likely to dominate or harm vulnerable animals.

The study highlights a concerning connection between animal violence and broader issues of domestic violence and murder. According to the researchers, "Violence toward animals has been related to domestic violence and murder." The research aimed to explore the relationship between the Dark Tetrad traits—narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and sadism—and attitudes toward non-human animals.

Additionally, the study examined how empathy and social dominance might influence this relationship. Marija Brankovic, a study author, shared her personal motivation for the research, stating, "I live in Serbia, where we share our towns and cities with many abandoned animals. My academic interest in the topic stemmed from my attempts to help these animals. My impression, from this activist experience, was that the same psychological capacities and traits relevant to our relationships with other humans also determine our relationships with non-human animals."

The findings indicated that higher levels of psychopathy and sadism correlate with speciesism, the belief that humans are superior to other animals. The researchers concluded, "The findings suggest that the Dark Tetrad of personality has systematic ties to attitudes toward animals."

The Dark Tetrad is a psychological framework introduced in 2002 that categorizes four personality traits known for their malicious and hostile nature. However, the researchers noted that their sample primarily consisted of young adults and students who completed a questionnaire, which may not accurately reflect their true beliefs.

Brankovic emphasized the importance of understanding the links between violence against animals and humans. She stated, "A group of my colleagues and I are working toward an enhanced understanding of the links between violence against animals and humans. We seek to understand the shared psychological underpinnings of violent behaviors, as well as how society and the social context help enhance and sustain violent behavior, to be able to prevent them."