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August 31 2020
BY RHYS BLAKELY
People who refuse to follow rules on wearing face masks are more likely to have malevolent sociopathic traits, a study suggests.
Individuals who showed signs of the so-called dark-triad of personality traits — narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy — were also more likely to trivialise the risks posed by COVID-19 and to avoid regular handwashing and social distancing.
Researchers from Brazil asked about 1600 volunteers to fill in two questionnaires often used by psychologists to assess empathy and expose personality disorders. They also asked them about their attitudes on rules and guidelines designed to contain the virus.
They then divided their subjects into two groups. About 1200 people qualified for an “empathy group": those who had displayed an interest in understanding other people’s feelings and motivations. These people also tended to be interested in “developing positive social interactions” with others.
The second group, with about 400 people, had shown signs of anti-social tendencies. These people tended to look for ways in which their interactions with others could benefit them personally. They were more likely to feel “socially detached” and to engage in hostile behaviour.
They were also less likely to follow rules designed to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
BY RHYS BLAKELY
People who refuse to follow rules on wearing face masks are more likely to have malevolent sociopathic traits, a study suggests.
Individuals who showed signs of the so-called dark-triad of personality traits — narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy — were also more likely to trivialise the risks posed by COVID-19 and to avoid regular handwashing and social distancing.
Researchers from Brazil asked about 1600 volunteers to fill in two questionnaires often used by psychologists to assess empathy and expose personality disorders. They also asked them about their attitudes on rules and guidelines designed to contain the virus.
They then divided their subjects into two groups. About 1200 people qualified for an “empathy group": those who had displayed an interest in understanding other people’s feelings and motivations. These people also tended to be interested in “developing positive social interactions” with others.
The second group, with about 400 people, had shown signs of anti-social tendencies. These people tended to look for ways in which their interactions with others could benefit them personally. They were more likely to feel “socially detached” and to engage in hostile behaviour.
They were also less likely to follow rules designed to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
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