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Can Psychopathy Be Adaptive at Work? Development and Application of a Work Focused Self- and Other-Report Measure of the Triarchic Psychopathy Model

Author

Listed:
  • Anna Sutton

    (School of Psychology, University of Waikato, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand)

  • Maree Roche

    (Management School, University of Waikato, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand)

  • Madeleine Stapleton

    (School of Psychology, University of Waikato, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand)

  • Anja Roemer

    (School of Psychology, University of Waikato, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand)

Abstract

Psychopathy may have both adaptive and maladaptive effects at work but research into workplace psychopathy is constrained by the lack of short, work-relevant measures that can be used for both self- and other-report. We adapt the Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (TriPM) for this purpose and distinguish the (mal)adaptive effects of psychopathy at work in two time-lagged survey samples. Sample 1 consisted of managers reporting their psychopathic traits and work outcomes (well-being, engagement, burnout and job performance). Sample 2 reported on their managers’ psychopathic traits and leadership styles (servant and abusive supervision) and their own work outcomes. The TriPM (Work) is a reliable, valid, 21-item measure of triarchic psychopathy at work with self- and other-report forms. Using this measure, we demonstrate that the triarchic model’s boldness trait is related to servant leadership and predicts improved well-being and performance while meanness and disinhibition are related to abusive supervision and predict increased burnout.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Sutton & Maree Roche & Madeleine Stapleton & Anja Roemer, 2020. "Can Psychopathy Be Adaptive at Work? Development and Application of a Work Focused Self- and Other-Report Measure of the Triarchic Psychopathy Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-17, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:11:p:3938-:d:366346
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Clive Boddy, 2014. "Corporate Psychopaths, Conflict, Employee Affective Well-Being and Counterproductive Work Behaviour," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 121(1), pages 107-121, April.
    2. Bryan Neo & Martin Sellbom & Sarah F. Smith & Scott O. Lilienfeld, 2018. "Of Boldness and Badness: Insights into Workplace Malfeasance from a Triarchic Psychopathy Model Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 149(1), pages 187-205, April.
    3. Gro Mathisen & Ståle Einarsen & Reidar Mykletun, 2011. "The Relationship Between Supervisor Personality, Supervisors’ Perceived Stress and Workplace Bullying," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 99(4), pages 637-651, April.
    4. Charlice Hurst & Lauren Simon & Yongsuhk Jung & Dante Pirouz, 2019. "Are “Bad” Employees Happier Under Bad Bosses? Differing Effects of Abusive Supervision on Low and High Primary Psychopathy Employees," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 158(4), pages 1149-1164, September.
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    2. Melrona Kirrane & Adeela Farqan & Emer Cloak, 2025. "Exploring a paradox: Psychopathy, Morality and Organisational Citizenship Behaviour," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 197(4), pages 873-892, April.

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