Dark traits, social motives, and apps used: A life history approach

We studied how dark personality traits and social motives are associated with the number of community and dating apps used (N = 411). By adopting a multiple app use approach, we expanded knowledge on social media behavior through the lens of life history theory. Narcissism was associated with more community and dating apps used in men and women, in men Machiavellianism was associated with more community apps used, psychopathy in women with more dating apps used, and men high in sadism used more of both app types, with stronger effects than in women. Sadism also emerged as distinct from psychopathy. Fast life history related motives were associated with more dating apps used in men, though men seeking friendships on dating apps exhibited slow life strategies. Women motivated by partner-seeking used both community and dating apps, reflecting a cautious approach to online platform engagement, except for those high in psychopathy. Our results highlight multilayered, sex-specific patterns of personality-related behavior across app types.