Contrasting Empathy and Shadows: Exploring the Interplay Between Dark Empathy and Personality Traits Among Young Adults in Indian Educational Settings

Abstract

The current study shows the interplay between empathy and dark triad personality traits in the population of young adults amongst Indian students. Empathy is the phenomenon that allows for internal simulation of cognitive and affective states of another person or situation that helps the given person in active listening, communicating and better understanding. On the other hand, Dark triad personality infamously consists of three dark, socially aversive personality traits; Machiavellianism, Narcissism and Psychopathy. The population in the research consists of students of India pursuing higher education under the age criteria of 17- 24 who can be roughly described as young adults These young adults (N=150) were randomly sampled to spare 7-10 minutes to complete self-report inventories which were circulated through google forms to different schools, colleges and universities. To measure empathy, the Inter-relative Personality Index has been used , on the other hand the dark triad personality or the traits of 3 different undesirable personality traits is measured with the help of dirty dozen. Using correlation analysis has revealed that a statistically significant relationship (p= 0.003) suggests that dark empathy is positively associated with dark percentage traits which retains the hypothesis. Therefore, our findings of the study suggests that findings of the study suggests that contrary to several results, a dark empath can effectively use cognitive empathy to understand and evaluate others’ feelings and ultimately help them and use them to their own benefit. In conclusion this research underscores the nuanced relationship between empathy and personality traits in young adults, empathy has different dimensions and as psychologists classified it, young adults under this population use it differently according to different personality traits. Future research could explore how these findings might inform strategies to foster more prosocial behaviours among adolescents, particularly in educational settings.