Brazilian researchers examine link between "dark triad" traits and women's everyday habits

Researchers at the University of São Paulo in Brazil carried out a large-scale study involving 1,410 women. Participants were asked to complete surveys designed to measure the so-called "dark triad" of personality traits — Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy.

What the dark triad means

These three personality types are traditionally grouped together in psychology because they share traits such as low empathy and a tendency to exploit others for personal gain. Researchers study these traits to better understand how they show up in everyday behavior.

An unexpected finding

The survey results revealed a connection between these "dark" personality traits and a completely ordinary practice that many women engage in daily. The researchers described the link as surprising, since it involves a routine, everyday habit not typically associated with problematic personality traits.

The study's authors note that such surveys help scientists better understand how personality traits influence people's everyday choices and behavior, even when the connection initially seems unexpected.

Publicly available details about the study remain limited for now, but the research underscores how psychologists continue searching for new ways to identify deeper personality traits through ordinary daily habits.