From Embezzlement to Antitrust: White Collar Crime Preferences of the Dark Triad.

This article examines how the Dark Triad personality traits—Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy—differentially predict preferences for types of White-Collar Crimes (WCCs) based on their complexity. Across two studies, individuals high in Machiavellianism showed a greater likelihood and perceived efficacy in committing complex, strategic WCCs such as antitrust violations, which involve planning and lower risk. Conversely, those high in psychopathy were more inclined toward simpler, impulsive WCCs like embezzlement that offer immediate gratification despite higher risk. Narcissism did not uniquely predict preferences for any specific WCC type. These findings highlight distinct criminal orientations within the Dark Triad traits and suggest implications for profiling and preventing WCC perpetration, particularly among populations with access to corporate environments.