How “Dark Side” Personality Traits Affect Social Network Position

Abstract

This study explored how “dark side” personality traits affect social network positioning. Thirty-one working adults completed the Hogan Developmental Survey (HDS), as well as a Social Network Analysis (SNA) survey measuring friendship, advice and innovation networks. SNA measures of Indegree (popularity measure) and Outdegree (expansiveness measure) were positively associated with Excitable and Colorful personality traits. In addition, Sceptical and Diligent personality traits were negatively associated with Indegree and Betweenness Centrality (network position importance measure). Implications and limitations were discussed.