Research Seminar: Dr Minna Lyons (University of Liverpool)

*** Everyone Welcome! No need to book in advance *** 

Date: Thursday 13th October

Time: 16:00-17:00  

Room: Town Hall Committee Room 3  
 

Dr Minna Lyons (University of Liverpool) 

The Dark Triad: evolutionary bases for individual differences

Minna’s main research interests are, broadly speaking, individual differences from evolutionary perspective. She is using the Life History theory as a framework in investigating individual differences in altruism, social intelligence, morality, attachment, and the Dark Triad of personality (i.e., Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy).

Abstract: Animals (including humans) show consistent individual differences in behaviour. Rather than being the result of random genetic noise, these differences can be adaptive. Life History Theory (LHT) presents one of the most convincing explanations for individual differences. According to the LHT framework, when faced with risky environments, it may be adaptive to start reproduction early, and invest in a quantity rather than quality of offspring. Risky, impulsive, and manipulative behaviours may be part of a tool-kit that facilitates a fast life history strategy. It has been suggested that fast life history strategies are typical of individuals who are high in the Dark Triad (i.e., psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism) of personality. In this talk, I present our recent findings supporting the idea that some aspects of manipulative personality traits relate to fast life history strategies.