The moderating effect of life history strategies on the relationship between Dark Triad traits and delayed gratification

Dark Triad (DT) traits are often used to account for individuals’ impulsivity and inability to delay gratification, postponing an immediate reward to receive a greater outcome at a later time. Life-history theory (LHT) provides additional theoretical framework to understand our choices related to delayed gratification. LHT posits individuals develop life-history strategies (LHS) shaped by their environmental cues. Individuals using slow LHS are believed to invest more in maturation in life whereas those with fast LHS prefer immediate rewards. Despite insights shared from past studies on DT and delayed gratification, inconsistencies in findings remain. The goal of the current study is to explore the moderating role of LHS when predicting delayed gratification from DT traits. Through Studies 1 and 2 (n = Study 1: 413, Study 2: 136), we found LHS to be a significant moderator. Current findings add support that higher DT traits can shape individuals to choose a greater reward with delay to its receipt when slow LHS are deployed.