A recent study conducted by Binghamton University in the United States has uncovered a troubling aspect of physical affection in romantic relationships. While hugs are commonly perceived as expressions of warmth and love, the research indicates that some individuals, particularly those exhibiting traits of the “Dark Triad,” exploit physical contact as a means of control.
The “Dark Triad” encompasses three negative personality traits: narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism. According to findings published in the journal Current Psychology, these individuals are more likely to use touch manipulatively to influence their partners for personal gain. Lead researcher Richard Mattson, a psychology professor at Binghamton University, notes the significance of linking problematic uses of touch to specific personality types.
“Our research highlights that not only do individuals with these traits fail to benefit from physical affection, but they can also wield it powerfully to their advantage,” Mattson explains. “This manipulation can detract from the benefits typically associated with affectionate contact in relationships.” The study shifts the focus of relationship science from the positive aspects of touch to its potential for misuse.
Mattson and his team investigated how attachment styles and specific personality traits affect the ways individuals give and receive physical affection in intimate relationships. They surveyed over 500 college students, assessing their comfort levels with touch, their avoidance of contact due to discomfort, and their use of touch in harmful ways towards others.
The results showed a clear correlation: individuals with Dark Triad traits were more inclined to use touch manipulatively. Interestingly, the findings also revealed gender differences. For men, comfort with physical touch was more closely associated with feelings of insecurity regarding their relationships. Those who felt anxious about their romantic situation were more likely to use touch to seek reassurance from their partners. Conversely, men who were uncomfortable with closeness tended to dislike being touched, regardless of other personality traits.
Women exhibiting Dark Triad traits reported greater discomfort with being touched, yet they were also more likely to use touch as a means of manipulation. According to Mattson, those with pronounced Dark Triad traits often engage in short-term romantic relationships fraught with challenges, including instances of violence. However, the specific manifestations of these traits in the context of relationships remain underexplored.
Mattson emphasizes that these insights could delineate areas for potential clinical intervention. “Touch alone can be a source of comfort in situations where someone requires support, and it has documented positive effects on health, even for individuals who may feel averse to physical contact,” he asserts. “In such cases, we could leverage touch to develop accessible interventions for those who have not learned to utilize touch in a healthy, reciprocal manner, but instead rely on it to exert control or protect themselves.”
