People with dark personality traits are more likely to “phub” you

New research provides evidence of a link between so-called “dark” personality traits and the tendency to prioritize smartphones over face-to-face interactions, a behavior commonly known as “phone snubbing.” The study, published in Psychological Reports, sheds light on some of the potential underpinnings of phubbing, a behavior that can have significant impacts on interpersonal relationships and social dynamics.

Over the past decade, smartphones have transformed from mere communication tools into essential aspects of our daily lives. They keep us connected, informed, and entertained. However, this convenience comes with a downside. An emerging behavior, where individuals focus on their phones instead of their companions during social interactions, has gained attention. Known colloquially as “phone snubbing,” this phenomenon has sparked interest among psychologists, prompting them to investigate its underlying causes.

Previous research has explored various aspects of smartphone use, including addiction and its impact on mental health. However, a comprehensive understanding of why people engage in phone snubbing, especially in social settings, is still unclear. The current study aimed to fill this gap by examining the role of specific personality traits and the fear of missing out (FOMO) – the anxiety of being disconnected from social activities.

The study, conducted in Turkey, involved 506 university students, with a higher proportion of female (70.7%) than male (29.3%) participants. The age range of the participants was between 18 and 29 years. To gather data, the researchers utilized online surveys distributed through university channels.

The surveys comprised various scales designed to measure three main components: the degree of phone snubbing behavior, the presence of FOMO, and the traits associated with the ‘Dark Triad’ – a term in psychology referring to three distinct but related personality traits: narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy.

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Narcissism relates to self-centeredness and a need for admiration, Machiavellianism involves manipulation and a focus on self-interest, and psychopathy is characterized by impulsivity and a lack of empathy. The scales provided participants with statements to which they could express their level of agreement or disagreement.

The researchers found a direct positive relationship between the Dark Triad personality traits and phone snubbing behavior. Simply put, individuals who exhibited higher levels of narcissism, Machiavellianism, or psychopathy were more likely to engage in phone snubbing.

They also identified a significant role played by FOMO. Those who scored higher on the FOMO measure were more likely to prioritize their smartphones in social settings. This finding was particularly pronounced among individuals with Dark Triad traits, suggesting that their FOMO levels may drive them to focus more on their online interactions than on the people physically present with them.

The study provides evidence that FOMO mediates the relationship between Dark Triad traits and phone snubbing. In other words, individuals with Dark Triad traits tend to have a high level of FOMO, which in turn is linked to phubbing behavior.

While the study offers valuable insights, it’s important to note some limitations. The use of self-reported surveys can sometimes lead to biased responses, as participants may answer in ways they perceive as socially acceptable. Additionally, the sample was limited to university students, which may not fully represent the broader population’s behaviors and attitudes.

Future research could expand on these findings by exploring other age groups and utilizing different research methods, such as longitudinal studies, to better understand the causality in these relationships. Investigating other personality traits and their impact on phone snubbing could also provide a more comprehensive picture.

The study, “Dark Triad Personality and Phubbing: The Mediator Role of Fomo“, was authored by Muhammed Akat, Coşkun Arslan, and Erdal Hamarta.