Virtuous victim signals have been described as a resource transfer strategy motivated by dark traits of narcissism and Machiavellianism ( et al 2021). Here we report direct replication of key predictions of this claim, test robustness to alternative predictors, and explore possible roles for sadism within virtuous-victim signaling.
Study 1 (n = 750, preregistered) replicated statistically-significant, large associations of virtuous victim signaling with communal narcissism and Machiavellianism.
Study 2 (n = 750, preregistered) tested robustness of the association using an alternative victim signaling measure. The results again replicated, this time with larger effects (β = 0.41 for narcissism and β = 0.22 for Machiavellianism).
Virtuous-victim status releases resources to the claimant but also leaves the accused as targets for attack. We therefore explored (Study 3) whether a further dark trait—sadism—predicted exploitation of this victimization opportunity.
Sadism was statistically-significantly and specifically associated with engaging in and enjoying attacks on accused individuals. The results provide independent support for virtuous victim signaling as narcissistic Machiavellianism. Dark traits may be adapted to exploit the resources released to victims, and opportunities for resource capture provided by victimizing others under a righteous guise.
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Tested association of virtuous victim signaling with Dark traits
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Two studies (n = 1,500), preregistered hypothesis tests and open data
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Strong association of virtuous-victim signaling with Dark Triad
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Virtuous-victim signals strongly predicted by Narcissism & Machiavellianism.
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Study 3 showed Sadism predicts attacking those accused of victimization.
[Keywords: virtue signaling, victim signaling, victimization, victimhood, Dark Triad, Narcissism, Machiavellianism, Sadism]
