Study of 591 Workers Links Narcissism, Psychopathy to Entrepreneurial Mindsets
Updated
Updated · PsyPost · Aug 11
Study of 591 Workers Links Narcissism, Psychopathy to Entrepreneurial Mindsets
1 articles · Updated · PsyPost · Aug 11
Summary
A survey of 591 working adults in Spain found higher narcissism and psychopathy scores were associated with stronger self-reported entrepreneurial tendencies, with narcissism the strongest dark-trait predictor.
About 41% of the variation in entrepreneurial mindset was explained by demographics, Big Five traits and Dark Triad traits combined, according to the Acta Psychologica study.
Openness to experience emerged as the strongest traditional predictor, while conscientiousness and extraversion also tracked with higher entrepreneurial scores; younger men and self-employed participants scored higher as well.
The researchers said the findings describe a psychological disposition rather than proven business behavior, since the study relied on one-time self-reported questionnaires and cannot show causation.
Future work will need to follow people over time and compare opportunity-driven founders with necessity-driven ones to test how these traits shape actual career choices.