The Influence of Negative Personality Factors on Choice of Humor: A Study on Undergraduate Students

Abstract

The present study explored the correlations between the four humor styles and the Dark Triad traits of personality. Participants were 202 undergraduates from India who finished the humor Styles Questionnaire, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, the Self-Report Psychopathy Scale, and the MACHIV. Results intimated that member who scored higher on sub-clinical psychopathy and Machiavellianism exhibited a more inclination to utilise negative humor styles (self-defeating and aggressive). whereas, individuals who got higher scores on narcissism were progressively inclined to have a preference toward affiliative humor or style and self-enhancing humor style and they negatively correlated with negative humor styles. The study was conducted to help understand the personality traits of individuals with various genre of humor and help to explain the nature of the Dark Triad traits of personality. It said to shed light on the interpersonal styles employed by people who exhibit these attributes.