Study warns: Psychopaths are more attractive than you think
New research reveals why the most attractive people might be the ones you should fear the most…
Have you ever met someone who seemed way too charming, only to realise later they weren’t as trustworthy as they looked?
Well, science says you’re not imagining it.
A new study, published in Personality and Individual Differences (highlighted by Newsweek) has revealed something fascinating, and a little unsettling.
People with darker personality traits like narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism (also known as the “Dark Triad”) are often seen as more trustworthy based on their faces alone.
Yes, really.
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In a series of experiments involving nearly 600 people, researchers asked participants to judge strangers’ faces in various trust-based games.
The result? Those who scored higher on the Dark Triad traits were rated as more trustworthy, largely because they were perceived as better looking.
Turns out, these personality types tend to master the art of social presentation.
Narcissists ooze confidence and charm, psychopaths can be disarmingly strategic, and Machiavellians know exactly how to read a room.
The study’s lead author, Professor Qi Wu from Hunan Normal University in China, explained it perfectly:
“In short-term cooperative settings, individuals with high Dark Triad traits tend to inspire more trust, partly due to being seen as more attractive based on their facial features.”
Pop culture also proves this theory time and time again.
Think about it: serial killers like Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer were often described as attractive or charismatic. These qualities helped them avoid suspicion.
The Netflix thriller YOU plays on the same idea with Joe Goldberg, a charming stalker and killer.
Despite actor Penn Badgley constantly reminding viewers “He is a murderer”, he somehow still keeps winning fans.
So how can we avoid this? Psychology professor Jason Walker of Chicago’s Adler University warned Newsweek readers about this “halo effect”.
This is our instinct to associate attractiveness with goodness.
He advised: “Watch how they treat those with less power. True character shows in how someone interacts with people they don’t need to impress.”
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Attractiveness might open doors, but real trust should be built on humility, consistency, and integrity.
Now, don’t get it twisted. Not every charmer has bad intentions.
However, the next time you feel yourself instantly trusting a good-looking stranger, just take a moment and step back.
It might just be your brain falling for an old evolutionary shortcut.
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