Researchers from a coastal university in Australia observed that individuals who score higher on Dark Triad traits tend to experience greater arousal when the condom is removed without their partner’s knowledge during intercourse. The study, with a focus on psychopathy and narcissism, notes this behavior as more common among those with pronounced features in these traits. This work appears in the journal Psychology and Sexuality and adds to a growing discussion about how personality factors can influence sexual decision making.
From a psychological standpoint, secretly removing a condom during sex breaches trust and consent and increases the risk of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy for the partner. The authors argue that strong Dark Triad traits correlate with a higher likelihood of engaging in physically and sexually coercive or deviant behaviors, and they explore how these dispositions may be linked to specific sexual practices.
In their online survey, the researchers gathered responses from 221 participants. The survey collected demographic information, invited participants to complete a measure of the Dark Triad traits, and asked about attitudes toward the described sexual practices. The design aimed to uncover whether trait levels corresponded with willingness to remove a condom without consent and with broader attitudes toward such acts.
Findings indicated that higher levels of psychopathy and narcissism, along with having more sexual partners, were associated with a greater likelihood of condom removal without the partner’s consent. The results were interpreted as supporting a link between Dark Triad characteristics and riskier sexual decision making, though the authors caution that self-reported data can influence the strength of observed associations.
Overall, the study contributes to an ongoing examination of how personality dimensions shape sexual behavior and consent dynamics. It emphasizes the ethical implications of deceptive acts in intimate encounters and the importance of clear communication and mutual respect in sexual relationships. Further research is encouraged to explore causal pathways and how situational factors interact with stable personality traits.