Dark Triad and Sports Ethics: In-Depth Examination of Prosocial and Antisocial Behavior

Year 2026, Volume: 28 Issue: 1 , 57 - 68 , 30.03.2026

Samet Sağ , Ercan Polat , Sabiha Gizem Engin

https://doi.org/10.62425/rses.1818134

https://izlik.org/JA94EK93KR

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between Dark Triad personality traits (Machiavellianism, Narcissism, and Psychopathy) and prosocial and antisocial behaviors within the sports context. Data were collected online from 667 athletes aged between 15 and 44 and analyzed using the structural equation modeling approach (PLS-SEM). The Dark Triad Scale was employed to assess personality characteristics, while the Prosocial and Antisocial Behavior in Sport Scale (PABSS) measured behavioral tendencies. Reliability, validity, discriminant validity, and multicollinearity analyses confirmed the adequacy of the measurement model. A structural model was developed to explore the interplay between the Dark Triad traits and prosocial and antisocial behaviors, and its theoretical validity was largely supported. Out of eight proposed hypotheses, six were accepted, indicating a strong overall model fit. Findings revealed that psychopathy and Machiavellianism were positively associated with antisocial behavior. Psychopathy fostered antisocial tendencies while decreasing prosocial engagement. Conversely, Machiavellianism unexpectedly exhibited a positive correlation with prosocial behavior, suggesting that Machiavellian individuals might act prosocially for social approval or personal gain. In contrast, psychopathy was found to enhance antisocial behaviors and suppress prosocial ones due to diminished empathy and a tendency toward aggression. These results indicate that dark personality traits are not exclusively detrimental; rather, their behavioral expressions in sport may vary depending on individual motivations and contextual factors. Overall, this study contributes to the growing literature on personality dynamics in sport psychology by elucidating the complex interactions of dark personality dimensions with moral and social conduct in athletic settings.

Keywords

Machiavellianism , narcissism , psychopathy , sport ethics

Karanlık Üçlü ve Spor Etiği: Prososyal ve Antisosyal Davranışların Derinlemesine İncelenmesi

https://izlik.org/JA94EK93KR

Abstract

Bu çalışma, Karanlık Üçlü kişilik özellikleri (Makyavelcilik, Narsisizm ve Psikopati) ile spor ortamındaki prososyal ve antisosyal davranışlar arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemektedir. Araştırma, 15–44 yaş aralığındaki 667 sporcudan çevrim içi olarak toplanan verilerle yürütülmüş ve Yapısal Eşitlik Modellemesi (PLS-SEM) yöntemiyle analiz edilmiştir. Katılımcıların kişilik özelliklerini belirlemek için Karanlık Üçlü Ölçeği, prososyal ve antisosyal davranış eğilimlerini ölçmek için ise Sporda Prososyal ve Antisosyal Davranış Ölçeği (PABSS) kullanılmıştır. Geçerlik, güvenirlik, ayırt edici geçerlik ve çoklu doğrusal bağlantı analizleri, ölçüm modelinin yeterliliğini doğrulamıştır. Karanlık Üçlü kişilik özellikleri ile davranışsal eğilimler arasındaki ilişkileri açıklayan bir yapısal model geliştirilmiş ve bu modelin kuramsal geçerliği büyük ölçüde desteklenmiştir. Sekiz hipotezden altısı kabul edilmiş, modelin genel uyumu güçlü bulunmuştur. Bulgular, psikopati ve makyavelciliğin antisosyal davranışla pozitif ilişkili olduğunu göstermiştir. Psikopati antisosyal eğilimleri artırırken prososyal davranışları azaltmıştır. Buna karşın, makyavelcilik beklenmedik biçimde prososyal davranışla pozitif ilişki sergilemiş, bu durum makyavelci bireylerin sosyal onay veya ödül motivasyonuyla prososyal davranış gösterebileceğini düşündürmüştür. Sonuç olarak, karanlık kişilik özelliklerinin yalnızca olumsuz etkilerle sınırlı olmadığı; bireysel motivasyonlar ve bağlamsal faktörlere göre farklı dinamikler gösterebildiği ortaya konmuştur.

Keywords

Makyavelizm , narsisizm , psikopati , spor etiği

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