Structural Relationships of Systemizing, Cognitive Empathy, and Affective / Emotional Empathy with Dark Pentad

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD student, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

2 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

10.22034/jmpr.2024.59891.6014

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the structural relationships between systemizing, cognitive empathy, and affective/emotional empathy with dark pentad personality traits. The current research was a descriptive-correlation study based on structural relationships. The statistical population of this research consisted of all Tabriz University students in the academic year 2022-2023, which was about 24 thousand students. According to Kline (2023), 415 people were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling (based on faculties). The research variables were measured using the Dark Pentad Personality Traits Scale of Yousefi, Ahmadi, & Mirzazadeh (2022), the Short form of Systemizing Quotient of Wakabayashi et al (2006), and the Basic Empathy Scale of Jolliffe & Farrington (2006). The research results showed that the structural model of Systemizing, cognitive empathy, and affective/emotional empathy with dark pentad was fitted (CFI = 0.90, NFI = 0.90, RMSEA = 0.05). Cognitive empathy displayed a positive, significant impact on Machiavellianism and narcissism, while negatively affecting spitefulness and psychopathy (p < 0.05). Affective/emotional empathy negatively influenced Machiavellianism, psychopathy, sadism, and spitefulness (p < 0.05). Systemizing had a negative impact on narcissism and sadism, while positively affecting psychopathy (p < 0.05). The results showed that the empathy style played an effective role in determining and forming dark personality traits. Therefore, in psychological interventions, significant changes can be made by focusing on changing the components of empathy in the dark personality traits.

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Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Modern Psychological Researches
Volume 20, Issue 79
October 2025
Pages 76-90

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