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Topics: News, Psychology, Science
Gregory Robinson
After binging every true crime doc, horror flick, and dark novel out there, you probably think you can spot a psychopath from a mile away… think again.
Scientists have found a link between an overlooked gesture and those with dark personality traits which could be used to manipulate their partners in tense situations.
When your partner touches your hand or squeezes your shoulder, surely this is just a physical sign of affection? Sometimes, but it could also be a sign of something more concerning.
If your partner tries to give you a hug in the midst of an argument, they might be trying to establish their authority.
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Scientists from Binghamton University in New York warned that this kind of touch can 'increase the perceived ownership of objects' and 'foster compliance from a subordinate'.
Researchers explain that while a hug can 'soothe your mind, reduce your stress and actually activate oxytocin', the findings reveal that 'not all hugs are harmless'.
In a paper published in Current Psychology, researchers said individuals with 'dark triad' personality traits, otherwise known as narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism, are more likely to use touch to manipulate their partners.
Machiavellianism is a personality trait in which someone uses manipulation, deceit, a cynical and unemotional world view, and a focus on achieving goals through self-interest even if it means exploiting others.
Study author Richard Mattson, professor of psychology at Binghamton University, said: “What’s new about our work isn’t just in identifying problematic uses of touch — it’s linking those behaviors to the type of person who is inclined to use them on a romantic partner.
“Not only are you not getting the benefits of touch in these relationships, but the flip side of that is that they are powerful, so they can actually be used in the service of oneself at the expense of the relationship partner.”
Mattson explained that amid the growth in interest in relationship science, most of the research has been focused on the benefits of touch, rather than how touch may be leveraged.
“It’s kind of a hot topic within relationship science, but we took a slightly different viewpoint, noting that not all forms of touch are well-intentioned, even if topographically, they look similar to other types of touch,” Mattson said. “What we were looking at is the manipulative use of touch alongside an individual’s preference not to be touched.”
Researchers investigated different attachment styles and personality traits to see how they influence the ways people express and receive physical affection in romantic relationships.
More than 500 college students were surveyed about their comfort with physical touch, the degree to which they avoided touch due to discomfort, and whether they used touch in ways that might not benefit their partner.
As well as individuals exhibiting 'dark triad' traits being more likely to use physical touch as a means of manipulating their partners, the findings revealed notable gender differences. Men who felt anxious about their relationship were more likely to seek reassurance through physical affection, while those who avoided emotional closeness tended to dislike being touched, independent of other personality factors.
For women, those exhibiting 'dark triad' traits reported greater discomfort with being touched but were also more inclined to use physical touch manipulatively within their relationships.
“Our findings underscore the importance of considering personality traits and attachment orientations in understanding how touch is perceived and used within romantic relationships," the authors write in the report.
“Interest in this area is in its infancy but may be critical to providing an overall understanding of how touch operates within romantic relationships.”