Economics Professor and Walker College of Business Research Excellence Professor Dr. David Dickinson has published a new article in the European Economic Review examining how personality traits influence moral and ethical decision‑making.
The research basis for the article, "Dark versus light personality types and moral choice", measured dark personality traits—such as psychopathy, sadism, Machiavellianism, and narcissism—and light traits, including Kantianism, humanism, and faith in humanity, and linked these traits to behavior in ethically relevant decision tasks.
The findings show that individuals with darker personality traits exhibit lower levels of prosocial behavior, a higher likelihood of dishonesty, and a greater willingness to make immoral choices, while light personality traits are associated with more ethical behavior.
Follow‑up analysis suggests these differences arise because darker personality types are less sensitive to social norms and perceive ethical norms differently. The research contributes to a deeper understanding of moral choice in economic and organizational contexts.
David Dickinson
David Dickinson