Understanding the Manipulative Use of Physical Touch by Individuals with Dark Personality Traits
October 23, 2025 - 20:38
Recent studies have shed light on the unsettling behavior of individuals exhibiting dark personality traits, often referred to as the Dark Triad, which includes narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. Research indicates that these individuals may manipulate their partners through physical touch, using it as a tool for control and influence in relationships.
Physical touch, which is typically associated with affection and intimacy, can take on a more sinister role when wielded by those with these personality traits. For instance, they may use touch to create emotional dependency or to assert dominance over their partners. This manipulation can manifest in various ways, such as excessive physical affection to disarm a partner during conflicts or strategic touches that reinforce a sense of loyalty and attachment.
Understanding these dynamics is crucial for individuals in relationships, as recognizing the signs of manipulation can help them establish healthier boundaries. Awareness of such behaviors can empower individuals to navigate their relationships with caution and clarity.
MORE NEWS
October 26, 2026 - 00:43
Creators of "The New Stanford Prison Experiment" Explain Its Surprising ConclusionThe finale of `The New Stanford Prison Experiment` takes a far more hopeful turn than the original 1971 study led by Stanford psychology professor Philip Zimbardo. That first iteration of the...
October 25, 2026 - 02:32
Study Links Peer Victimization to Negative Self-Image in TeensTeenagers who experience bullying and other forms of peer victimization tend to develop more negative views of themselves as they move through adolescence, according to new research. The study...
October 24, 2026 - 07:10
Psychology explains why some people feel calmer on rainy days while others feel low or restless; what our responses to weather reveal about mood, memories and our surroundingsFor some people rainy days feel like a peek into heaven, with the smell of mud and a hot cup of tea to cosy up with. But for others it can feel like their worst nightmare where they feel low and...
October 23, 2026 - 17:26
The First Corporate Psychopath Was a 17th Century Dutch MutineerA psychologist studying the wreck of the Dutch East India Company ship Batavia has identified what may be the first documented corporate psychopath: Jeronimus Cornelisz, an undermanager whose...