The Dark Triad and Virtual Sexual Harassment
Dr Sarah Johns
Friday 25 March 2022, 13:00-14:00 GMT
The internet has enabled the exchange of graphic, sexual images and increased the potential for harassing and unwanted sexual interactions. There is a fundamental lack of empirical research conducted on the motives for sending self taken sexual images - a common form of online sexual harassment when such images are unsolicited. The incentives for this behaviour are unknown, as well as the prevalence of the behaviour in general. We created a predictive model for the sending of unsolicited nude images for both men and women, and in relation to dark triad personality traits. Our results suggest that, for men, this behaviour is predicted by psychopathy, self rated mate value, and an accepting attitude towards sending nudes, whereas in women it is predicted by narcissism and a liberal attitude towards sending nudes. We conclude that female senders can be characterised as sex positive individuals, and that male senders may have darker intentions and motives. This has implications for how this behaviour is viewed in both legal and sexual health contexts.
Biography
Sarah Johns is a broadly trained anthropologist who works on sexual and reproductive behaviour. Her research has focussed on teenage motherhood, post natal depression, and the evolutionary anthropology of human reproductive decision making.
She is a Reader in the School of Anthropology and Conservation at the University of Kent.
The seminar is using Zoom. To attend, just scan the QR code on the day:
For more details please contact Dr Lucy Irving on:
L DOT Irving AT mdx DOT ac DOT uk
