Do Narcissist Phubs or Get Phubbed? Analyzing the Role of Motivational Systems

Phubbing is a common sight, but it is not merely a technological faux pas. The present study aims to explore phubbing (phubbing others and getting phubbed) through the lens of two types of personalities (grandiose and vulnerable narcissism). Moreover, the study also aimed to evaluate the indirect role of motivational systems (BAS/BIS) between these two sets of variables. The sample of the study comprised 525 Indian college students. Data were analyzed through Hayes Process Macro (Hayes) in SPSS (Version 26). Vulnerable narcissism was found to be positively related to phubbing others and getting phubbed. Grandiose narcissism was found to be related to phubbing others but not to getting phubbed. BAS and BIS were significantly and positively related to phubbing and getting phubbed. BAS indirectly affected the relationship between two kinds of narcissism (vulnerable and grandiose) and phubbing (phubbing others and getting phubbed); however, BIS failed to influence the relationship between narcissism and phubbing. The results of the present study challenge the notion that all phubbing behaviors are truly deviant as narcissistic personality played an important role in phubbing behavior. The study also highlighted the importance of rewards and punishment on phubbing behaviors, and therefore there is a need to focus on BAS and BIS while dealing with phubbing behaviors.

The Dark Triad and BIS/BAS: a Meta-Analysis

Are there any temperamental predispositions to developing a dark personality traits? Within the current paper we address this question by investigating relations between the temperamental traits of the behavioural inhibition and approach systems (BIS and BAS, respectively) and the Dark Triad traits of personality. For this purpose, we conducted a meta-analysis of 18 studies with a total of 8911 participants. The results partially corroborated existing claims that the Dark Triad traits are a group of high-approach low-avoidance temperamental traits; however, the role of BAS seems to be more important. Among the Dark Triad traits, narcissism seems to be the most related to both the BIS and the BAS. Psychopathy in turn seems to be mostly related to the fun-seeking facet of the BAS. Finally, Machiavellianism appears to be the least related to temperamental traits. Thus, it seems that only narcissism and psychopathy confirm the claim about a connection between the Dark Triad traits and a high-approach low-avoidance temperament.