Abstract
Research calls have been made to explore the conditions under which employees with dark triad traits are likely to commit counterproductive workplace behaviours (CWB) towards individual stakeholders (CWB-I) and organisations (CWB-O). Academics have hypothesised that subclinical dark triad traits –psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism– may emerge as an adaptive response to stressful and adverse early life experiences. Therefore, the Schema Therapy model may offer utility for conceptualising the link between the dark triad traits and CWB. The core concept of the Schema Therapy model is Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS), which represent a collection of pervasive memories, cognitions, emotions, and physiological sensations that relate to oneself, one’s relationships and the world. EMS are believed to originate from early childhood and adolescence in response to an interaction between innate temperament and unmet core emotional needs. ‘Schema modes’ are another concept reflecting recurring states that can dominate cognitions, emotions, and behaviours at any moment and are believed to drive clinical symptoms and behaviours, such as CWB.The overarching aim of this dissertation was to apply the core concepts from the Schema Therapy model to the dark triad traits in a working sample across three cross sectional online survey designs. Study 1 (N = 210) aimed to explore the correlations between EMS and the dark triad facets in a general working sample, using a battery of dark triad psychometric assessments. Bivariate correlation analyses revealed that most measures of the dark triad traits in the working sample united on central EMS related to Entitlement/Grandiosity, Mistrust/Abuse, Approval–Seeking/Recognition Seeking, Unrelenting Standards/Hypercriticalness and Punitiveness. The findings suggested that individuals with elevated dark triad traits may share a similar cognitive and emotional worldview that may inform how these individuals navigate their work environment.
Study 2 aimed to explore the EMS re-enactment hypothesis with regards to the dark triad and leadership position in the workplace. EMS re-enactment is believed to reflect a tendency to be drawn to environments that may activate EMS, such as the workplace. Bivariate correlation analyses indicated that respondents with elevated dark triad traits produced significant correlations with specific recalled negative parenting experiences, such as competitiveness and status seeking parenting. Leadership position also emerged as positively and significantly related to corporate psychopathic and narcissistic traits in the working sample, but not for Machiavellianism traits. Network analyses were employed to examine the interrelationships between EMS and recalled negative parenting experiences foreach component of dark triad traits for non-leaders (n = 142) and leaders (n = 142). The results indicated that the strength of relations between specific EMS was slightly stronger for leaders with elevated dark triad traits, compared to non-leaders. A unique pattern of interrelationships between EMS, recalled negative parenting experiences and dark triad traits emerged for leaders and non-leaders. Specifically, a competitive and status seeking paternal figure appeared to be slightly more related to the Unrelenting Standards/Hypercriticalness EMS in leaders with elevated dark triad traits, providing support for EMS re-enactment.
Study 3 aimed to identify the cognitive, emotional, and behavioural conditions under which employees (N = 306) with elevated dark triad traits may commit CWB-I and CWB-O. Hierarchical regression analyses identified a unique cluster of EMS and schema modes positively and significantly predicting the dark triad traits. These EMS and schema modes were entered into network analyses to identify the interrelationships between EMS, schema modes, and CWB-I and CWB-O for each component of the dark triad traits in the working sample. Although no direct relations between CWB and the dark triad traits were found, the analyses suggested that patterns of CWB for each dark triad trait can be explained by a unique cluster of EMS and schema coping modes. The Conning/Manipulative mode was associated with CWB across all components of the dark triad traits. The findings of the dissertation highlight the utility of integrating core concepts from the Schema Therapy model to interventions related to the dark triad and workplace behaviours. The Schema Therapy model may also provide utility to conceptualise the conditions that employees with dark triad traits may be inclined to engage in ‘dark’ attitudes and behaviours. The dissertation offers a preliminary ‘dark’ schema model of workplace dysfunction for employees with elevated dark triad traits. Implications, limitations, and recommendations for future research are discussed.
| Date of Award | 2025 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Supervisor | Katarina Fritzon (Supervisor) & Bruce Watt (Supervisor) |