Pirates with psychopathic personalities? The role of sub-clinical and normative traits in illegal streaming and downloading of media

Abstract

There is limited research on the individual differences that may contribute to engaging with digital media piracy. Previous research has primarily focused on music piracy, but more work is needed on contemporary issues in film and television piracy. Here we present two registered report studies exploring of the role of psychopathic, and in a second sample Five-Factor and Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory, trait dimensions in engagement with digital media piracy and normative deviance in an international (N = 351) and a US sample (N = 321). Overall, we find that traits associated with low self-control (Disinhibition, Conscientiousness) were important for explaining engagement with media piracy and identify themes in reasons for engaging with piracy or not that in Content Analysis.