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The Effects of the Dark Triad on Unethical Behavior

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  • Andrew Harrison

    (University of Cincinnati)

  • James Summers

    (Iowa State University)

  • Brian Mennecke

    (Iowa State University)

Abstract

This article uses behavioral theories to develop an ethical decision-making model that describes how psychological factors affect the development of unethical intentions to commit fraud. We evaluate the effects of the dark triad of personality traits (i.e., psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism) on fraud intentions and behaviors. We use a combination of survey results, an experiment, and structural equation modeling to empirically test our model. The theoretical insights demonstrate that psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism affect different parts of the unethical decision-making process. Narcissism motivates individuals to act unethically for their personal benefit and changes their perceptions of their abilities to successfully commit fraud. Machiavellianism motivates individuals not only to act unethically, but also alters perceptions about the opportunities that exist to deceive others. Psychopathy has a prominent effect on how individuals rationalize their fraudulent behaviors. Accordingly, we find that the dark triad elements act in concert as powerful psychological antecedents to fraud behaviors.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew Harrison & James Summers & Brian Mennecke, 2018. "The Effects of the Dark Triad on Unethical Behavior," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 153(1), pages 53-77, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:153:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-016-3368-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-016-3368-3
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    Cited by:

    1. Dickinson, David L., 2023. "Dark versus Light Personality Types and Moral Choice," IZA Discussion Papers 16338, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Chaouali, Walid & Hammami, Samiha Mjahed & Cristóvão Veríssimo, José Manuel & Harris, Lloyd C. & El-Manstrly, Dahlia & Woodside, Arch G., 2022. "Customers who misbehave: Identifying restaurant guests “acting out†via asymmetric case models," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    3. Nilupulee Liyanagamage & Mario Fernando & Belinda Gibbons, 2023. "The Emotional Machiavellian: Interactions Between Leaders and Employees," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 186(3), pages 657-673, September.
    4. Kapoor, Payal S. & M S, Balaji & Maity, Moutusy & Jain, Nikunj Kumar, 2021. "Why consumers exaggerate in online reviews? Moral disengagement and dark personality traits," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    5. Analisa Analisa, 2020. "Factors influencing unethical behaviour in banking industry," Journal of Contemporary Accounting, Master in Accounting Program, Faculty of Business & Economics, Universitas Islam Indonesia, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, vol. 2(2), pages 97-107, May.
    6. Taslima Jannat & Syed Shah Alam & Yi-Hui Ho & Nor Asiah Omar & Chieh-Yu Lin, 2022. "Can Corporate Ethics Programs Reduce Unethical Behavior? Threat Appraisal or Coping Appraisal," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 176(1), pages 37-53, February.
    7. Iris K. Gauglitz & Birgit Schyns & Theresa Fehn & Astrid Schütz, 2023. "The Dark Side of Leader Narcissism: The Relationship Between Leaders’ Narcissistic Rivalry and Abusive Supervision," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 185(1), pages 169-184, June.
    8. Smith, Kenneth J. & Emerson, David J. & Mauldin, Shawn, 2021. "Online cheating at the intersection of the dark triad and fraud diamond," Journal of Accounting Education, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    9. Matthias Pelster & Annette Hofmann & Nina Klocke & Sonja Warkulat, 2023. "Dark Triad Personality Traits and Selective Hedging," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 182(1), pages 261-286, January.
    10. Martin Mutschmann & Tim Hasso & Matthias Pelster, 2022. "Dark Triad Managerial Personality and Financial Reporting Manipulation," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 181(3), pages 763-788, December.
    11. Jeremy B. Bernerth, 2022. "Does the Narcissist (and Those Around Him/Her) Pay a Price for Being Narcissistic? An Empirical Study of Leaders’ Narcissism and Well-Being," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 177(3), pages 533-546, May.
    12. Soral, Prakriti & Pati, Surya Prakash & Kakani, Ram Kumar, 2022. "Knowledge hiding as a coping response to the supervisors’ dark triad of personality: A protection motivation theory perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 1077-1091.
    13. Bailey, Charles D., 2019. "The joint effects of narcissism and psychopathy on accounting students’ attitudes towards unethical professional practices," Journal of Accounting Education, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).
    14. Daniel N. Jones & Steven M. Mueller, 2022. "Is Machiavellianism Dead or Dormant? The Perils of Researching a Secretive Construct," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 176(3), pages 535-549, March.

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