Scientists have found out how character affects flirting

A new study has found: flirting motives can vary markedly depending on personality traits, and people with the so-called "dark triad" are more likely to flirt as a way to gain advantage.

Psychologists examined how the "dark triad" (narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy) and "light triad" (faith in humanity, humanism and Kantianism) traits are related to two key types of motives: relational(flirting to start or strengthen a relationship) and instrumental (flirting to achieve a goal or gain resources).

The study involved 955 'triads': each main participant answered questions about their flirting and also involved two informants (e.g. friends or acquaintances) who assessed their behaviour from the outside. This approach is needed to reduce self-assessment distortions and "embellishment" of responses.

The main conclusion is that even when the researchers separately took into account the frequency of flirting and "flirting ability", more pronounced traits of the dark triad were associated with more frequent choice of instrumental motives - that is, flirting "for the sake of results". Meanwhile, light triad traits in general hardly predicted specific motives at all.

The authors stress that the effects on average do not look huge, but show a useful pattern: flirting may not only be a social signal, but also a "behavioural tool" that reflects individual personality differences.

As a reminder, the 'Dark Triad' are three personality traits that are often considered together in psychology because they are associated with a manipulative, cold and self-centred style of behaviour:

1. Narcissism
   A tendency toward self-importance, a need for admiration, and a sense of specialness. Can manifest as a desire for attention and status.

2. Machiavellianism
   The "ends justify the means" attitude: calculating, tendency to manipulate people, cynicism, pragmatic attitude to morality.

3. Psychopathy (in the context of personality traits, not a diagnosis)
   Low empathy, emotional coldness, impulsivity, tendency to take risks and ignore consequences for others.

"Light Triad" is a set of three "positive" personality traits that describe a person's tendency to respect others, be benevolent, and see the good in people. It usually includes:

1. Kantianism
   The habit of treating people as a goal rather than a "tool". Simpler: not using others for gain, respecting boundaries.

2. Humanism
   The belief that people in general are worthy of respect and care. It's about empathy, compassion, acceptance.

3. Belief in humanity
   The tendency to believe that most people are generally good, trustworthy, can do the right thing.