GabyResearchers believe that people with psychopathic traits are more likely to use their phones while driving. They also commit traffic violations more frequently than other drivers.
What scientists have learned
A large-scale study by a team of psychologists from the University of Regensburg (Germany) found a significant correlation between psychopathic traits and mobile phone use while driving.
The study found that drivers who exhibited stronger traits of the “Dark Triad” of personality – Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy – were significantly more likely to use mobile phones while driving and felt less guilty about it. The team also found that drivers with high levels of psychopathy were far more likely than others to violate traffic rules.
In psychology, the “dark triad” of personality refers to three traits that are considered dangerous to society. These are narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. Narcissists are characterized by feelings of self-importance, self-love, and a lack of empathy. Machiavellianism involves manipulation, exploitation of others, cynicism, deceitfulness, and an excessive focus on one’s own interests. Psychopaths are inclined towards impulsivity, ruthlessness, and also lack compassion.
How the research was conducted
Psychologists recruited 989 German drivers for the study. All participants underwent testing for the three traits of the “Dark Triad.” Researchers assessed those traits on a five-point scale, the Daily Mail reported.
The results showed that the majority of participants (61 percent) admitted to occasionally using their phone while driving.
Higher scores on any of the three Dark Triad traits were associated with more frequent phone use while driving.
The study says, “People with traits of the ‘Dark Triad’ are generally more likely to use their phones while driving.”
Drivers with higher levels of narcissism and psychopathy were less likely to feel guilty about their inappropriate behavior while driving.
Those who scored high in Machiavellianism were more likely to try to hide their phone use. The team found that psychopathic traits predicted whether a person would break traffic rules.
The team calculated that for individuals who scored the minimum on the psychopathy scale, the likelihood of committing a traffic offense is 9.89 percent. For those with an average psychopathy score, the probability of committing an offense while driving is 24 percent.
For those who received the highest score for this trait – 4.33 – the probability increases to 56 percent.
Compulsive smartphone dependence
Participants were also assessed for so-called problematic smartphone use (PSU). This refers to a compulsive, excessive urge to use the phone that negatively impacts other areas of life.
The phenomenon is surprisingly widespread: fifty percent of respondents in a recent survey said they couldn’t live without their smartphone.
The university team found that PSU, regardless of other personality traits, is the strongest factor influencing phone use while driving.
The study was conducted among law-abiding Germans who generally respect public order.
The results of the study were published in the journal PLOS ONE.
