Research pick: Environmentalism and the Dark Triad - "Do dark personality traits predict environmental citizenship at work? A mediation analysis of value orientations"

Research in the International Journal of Environment, Workplace and Employment has looked at the psychological factors that might affect an employee’s engagement with workplace environmental initiatives. The work shows that one of the “darker” personality traits, usually seen as a negative can influence pro-environmental behaviour in a perhaps surprising way.

The researchers studied the so-called “Dark Triad” of personality, Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy, and their association with voluntary environmentally responsible actions. These actions are known formally as organisational citizenship behaviour for the environment (OCBE). OCBE encompasses discretionary activities such as recycling, conserving energy, and reducing waste, which are not a prerequisite of environmental efforts, but can significantly improve sustainability goals in the workplace.

Using statistical methods including hierarchical regression and mediation analysis, the study found distinct patterns among the traits. Employees high in Machiavellianism, characterised by strategic calculation and goal-oriented thinking, were more likely to engage in OCBE. This suggests that individuals with a strong focus on personal gain may participate in environmental initiatives if they see a clear advantage, such as career progression or benefits to their own reputation. Psychopathy, marked by impulsiveness and a lack of empathy, however, was associated with lower levels of OCBE, indicating resistance to environmental programmes. Narcissism, defined by self-focus and a desire for admiration, showed no direct link to environmental behaviour.

When the team looked deeper into the data, they could see that egotism, altruism, and biospheric values could reflect the reasons individuals might act environmentally. Egotistical values, which prioritise personal benefit, boosted the influence of both narcissism and, unexpectedly, psychopathy on OCBE. In contrast, altruistic behaviour and biospheric values, linked to concern for others or the planet, generally did not mediate the relationship, except that biospheric values weakened engagement among those with psychopathic tendencies. In other words, environmentally driven appeals rooted in genuine ecological concern were less effective for individuals predisposed to psychopathy.

The findings highlight the complex interplay between personality, values, and sustainability in an organisational setting. The team suggests that interventions aimed at increasing employee participation in environmental initiatives might benefit from focusing on personal incentives, particularly for those with Machiavellian or egotistical characters. Conversely, strategies emphasising moral or ecological duty may not resonate with individuals high in psychopathy.

Lau, J.L., Jamaluddin, A. and Zainudin, N. (2025) ‘Do dark personality traits predict environmental citizenship at work? A mediation analysis of value orientations’, Int. J. Environment, Workplace and Employment, Vol. 9, No. 3, pp.197–215.