Evita March

Predicting perpetration of intimate partner cyberstalking

Stalking behaviours performed against former and current intimate partners account for the majority of reported stalking situations, are continuously increasing, and can result in physical, psychological, and financial distress. The rise of technology has led to increased access to personal information and thus has facilitated the ease of stalking an intimate partner online (i.e., cyberstalking). However, the literature indicates a lack of clarity regarding predictive factors of perpetration of intimate partner cyberstalking behaviour. The current study aimed to predict perpetration of intimate partner cyberstalking from the variables of gender and Dark Tetrad personality traits (i.e., Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism). Participants (N=689; 30% men, 70% women) completed an online questionnaire. Gender was a significant predictor of intimate partner cyberstalking, with women being more likely to engage in this behaviour. All Dark Tetrad traits were found to be significant predictors of intimate partner cyberstalking. Results of the current study contribute to the growing body of literature on personality and online behaviours. Identification of factors that influence individuals to engage in intimate partner cyberstalking could be beneficial in cyberstalking interventions. Limited research has explored perpetration of intimate partner cyberstalking.Predicted perpetration of intimate partner cyberstalking from gender and personality.Women more likely to perpetrate intimate partner cyberstalking than men.All Dark Tetrad traits positively associated with intimate partner cyberstalking.Results have implications for cyberstalking interventions.

Current prescriptions of men and women in differing occupational gender roles

Abstract The gender roles of masculinity and femininity are considered not only to be descriptive of behaviour, but also to prescribe how men and women should behave. To assess the prescriptive nature of gender roles, previous research asked participants to assign masculine (agentic) and feminine (communal) traits to men and women of differing occupational roles. The current study, conducted in Australia, sought to establish whether previous results still apply to contemporary prescriptions of masculine and feminine traits of men and women in different occupational roles (specifically, employee and homemaker roles). Participants (N = 327) completed an online questionnaire, where masculine and feminine traits (as identified by the Bem Sex Role Inventory short-form) were ascribed to men and women of different occupational roles (that is, employee and homemaker). Compared to previous results, those of this current differ in fundamental ways that we posit reflect the social changes of women. Results are discussed in relation to both previous research and in response to social change.

Predicting Short- and Long-Term Mating Orientations: The Role of Sex and the Dark Tetrad

Previous literature has extensively considered factors that influence short- and long-term mating orientations, with specific attention given to individual differences (e.g., sex and personality). Although research has established the role “darker” personality traits (i.e., the dark triad) play in mating orientation, this triad has recently been reconceptualized as a tetrad. Due to this reconceptualization, the current study sought to establish the utility of sex and the dark tetrad in predicting individual short- and long-term mating orientations. In addition, as an alternative to previous methodology, the orientations were assessed using a continuous measure. A total of 464 participants, ages 18 to 69, completed an online questionnaire assessing dark tetrad traits and mating orientations. Results showed that sex, trait psychopathy, and trait sadism were significant predictors of a short-term mating orientation. For long-term mating orientations, there was no predictive utility of sex, but there were positive associations for narcissism and negative associations for psychopathy and sadism. These findings add further understanding of the predictors of mating orientation and the utility of the tetrad in predicting mating orientations. In addition, the findings offer future mating orientation studies an alternative measure to the traditional dichotomous format.