These are the types of people that are attracted to psychopaths

There has been a lot of fuss this week about the trailer for a new film called Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. It is about the life of psychopathic serial killer Ted Bundy who was convicted of one kidnapping and three murders before getting death by electrocution. It stars Zac Efron as Bundy, an actor known for his extreme handsomeness as well as talent, which has given way to some complaints by the internet.

One article on Mashable was simply titled, “Can we please stop casting hot actors as psychopaths?” referencing Efron’s casting as well as Penn Badgley on the new Netflix (formerly Lifetime) hit series You which is about a very kind, charming and handsome book store owner, Joe Goldberg, who happens to murder (and lock in a cage that houses priceless books) anyone who gets in the way of his relationship with his true love, Guinevere.

Now, thinking an actor is handsome or beautiful is one thing but the fact that both of these characters are ruthless serial killers that are psychopaths could mean something more about your own mental health according to research. 

It is important to note that most psychopaths do not engage in violent behavior, although people tend to associate them with a higher likelihood of committing violent acts compared to the general population.

According to a study published in the Journal of Personality in April, it was found that psychopaths tend to be attracted to others who have psychopathic tendencies. The study titled “Do Psychopathic Birds of a Feather Flock Together?” used 696 men and women of many different backgrounds and ethnicities. They were given a list of DSM-5 personality disorders and they found that many of the participants did like Factor 1 psychopathic traits including lack of empathy and manipulation, which are also characteristic of antisocial personality disorder.

When they were asked about rating these in terms of romantic attraction they rated these traits lower. However, with the participants that showed more psychopathic tendencies, they rated those characteristically psychopathic traits higher when it came to romantic partners. The study also explored the dark triad, which includes narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism, and its relevance to attraction dynamics.

“Our findings suggest that although absolute preferences for psychopathic traits are low on average, individuals with marked psychopathic features and [personality disorders] features more generally are more inclined than others to endorse a romantic preference for psychopathic individuals, at least in the abstract,” the researchers wrote. Previous research supports these findings, indicating that individuals with certain personality traits are more likely to seek partners with similar traits. In other words, psychopaths are attracted to other psychopaths.

Characteristics of individuals attracted to psychopaths

Research has shown that individuals who are attracted to psychopaths often share certain characteristics. One notable trait is a higher level of morbid curiosity, which drives them to seek out and engage with dangerous or macabre phenomena. This fascination with the thrill and excitement of being in a relationship with someone perceived as “bad” or “dangerous” can be a significant factor.

Additionally, these individuals may have a lower level of emotional intelligence, making it difficult for them to recognize the warning signs of a toxic relationship. This lack of emotional insight can lead to idealizing their partner and overlooking their flaws, creating a pattern of enabling and codependency. Psychopaths may manipulate their partners by making grand declarations, such as stating they feel like they’ve known them their whole life, to intensify emotional connections and create an illusion of intimacy.

A history of trauma or abuse is another common characteristic among those attracted to psychopaths. This background can lead to a pattern of seeking out relationships that feel familiar, even if they are unhealthy. The fear of being alone or a fear of intimacy can also drive individuals to settle for relationships that are not fulfilling or healthy.

It’s important to note that these characteristics are not exclusive to those attracted to psychopaths. Anyone can find themselves drawn to someone with psychopathic traits. However, being aware of these tendencies can help individuals recognize the warning signs of a toxic relationship and take steps to protect themselves.

Are people with dark triad personality traits dreamy?

Now Badgley’s character is one of fiction which may explain why so many fans have admitted they are sexually attracted to Joe despite knowing about all his very gruesome shortcomings. The attraction to Joe’s dark personalities, including psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism, plays a significant role in this phenomenon. Badgley had a take on why people would be attracted to such a disturbing person. Psychopathic men often attract women through charm and manipulation, projecting confidence and appeal despite their antisocial behaviors.

“I don’t see him as a portrayal of a real person, I see him as a representation of the part of us that identifies with him. The part of us that is a troll; that part of us that is victim blaming; the part of us that is privileged and blind. We’re meant to identify with him,” he said in a recent interview.

But, with Bundy, it is a bit different as this was a real person, also known for his handsome looks and charming personality as well as confessing to the murder of 30 women (but the actual number is unknown.)

The mating preferences of individuals with psychopathic traits often lead them to seek out partners with similar characteristics, particularly in the context of short-term relationships. However, individuals with psychopathic traits are generally less attractive for a stable, enduring long term relationship. “The most exciting thing for me was being able to sort of lend that Ted Bundy charisma to the part,” Efron told E! News. “I hope that’s what comes across the most … The most interesting and exciting thing for me to contribute to the movie was Ted had this thing about him, this facade, his charm, and the way that he worked with people.

“A lot of people in prison loved him. Cops that knew him seemed to think he was an OK guy. It wasn’t until after he fully admitted to everything that most of the world really believed that Ted was even capable of these things. He pulled the wool over our eyes.”

But in addition to the fandom for Efron, there is also a Netflix docuseries, Conversations With a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes, that has been sparking a lot of interest from young women, who are captivated by Bundy’s charm and manipulative behaviors. There were so many Tweets about Bundy’s “hotness” Netflix actually released the following:

https://twitter.com/netflix/status/1089950741064601600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1089950741064601600&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sheknows.com%2Fhealth-and-wellness%2Farticles%2F1996928%2Fsexual-attraction-to-serial-killers%2F

But a lot of it clearly just comes down to charm and looks, which means you probably aren’t a psychopath yourself. Criminologist Dr. Melissa Hamilton from the University of Surrey School of Law told SheKnows.com: “If they are handsome, they likely have learned to use that beauty to their advantage in further being able to attract, seduce and control women. Ted Bundy is a clear example of this. Beautiful men who have always received positive and trusting attention may become more self-confident, which is itself another factor that attracts women’s confidence.”

There also is the notion of disbelief that people have with very attractive people. They almost can’t fathom that someone so attractive could be capable of such heinous crimes. Our brain has trouble processing such contrasting depictions of one person. It can’t make sense of it.

The study also found that in its subset of undergraduate women, they tended to show a preference for the psychopathic qualities which could really come down to age and experience: “Given their young age, undergraduates tend to have fewer relationship experiences than do older adults, and thus probably have a more limited history of adverse experiences associated with dating people with pronounced psychopathic traits, such as experiencing infidelity … intimate partner violence … or emotional unavailability … Although females may express a preference for psychopathic males in principle, such enthusiasm may dwindle or even disappear following either a direct or vicarious negative romantic experience. Moreover, the undergraduate dating culture may possess unique characteristics (e..g, close-knit social networks, Greek life, increased prevalence of alcohol and drug use) that may not generalize to dating outside of college, and as such attraction to psychopathic males may decrease with time … “

Interestingly though, the study found that men tend to be more attracted to women with psychopathic qualities and not vice versa even though the mania is around these handsome male serial killers. In the context of long term relationships, individuals displaying Dark Triad traits may emphasize these traits more, suggesting a preference for partners with similar characteristics.

The study also found that it wasn’t just the subjects who had more psychopathic characteristics that also found psychopaths attractive. Those with histrionic, narcissistic, obsessive-compulsive, schizotypal, passive-aggressive, self-defeating, antisocial, paranoid, borderline, avoidant, dependent, and sadistic personality traits also were attracted to psychopaths.

The Dark Triad and attraction to psychopaths

The Dark Triad is a term used to describe a trio of personality traits: narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism. These traits are often linked to exploitative and self-serving behaviors, and individuals who exhibit them may be more likely to engage in manipulative and coercive behavior in their relationships.

Research has shown that individuals who are psychopaths attracted may also be drawn to others with Dark Triad traits, such as narcissism and Machiavellianism. These traits are often associated with confidence, charisma, and a sense of power, which can be highly attractive to some individuals.

Moreover, those who are attracted to psychopaths may exhibit Dark Triad traits themselves, such as a lack of empathy or a tendency to manipulate others. This can create a dynamic where both partners engage in exploitative and self-serving behavior, leading to a toxic and unhealthy relationship.

Future research should delve deeper into the relationship between the Dark Triad and attraction to psychopaths. Understanding the role of morbid curiosity and the impact of trauma and abuse on relationship preferences can help develop strategies for preventing and intervening in toxic relationships. By gaining insight into the characteristics of individuals who are attracted to psychopaths, we can better address and mitigate the risks associated with these dangerous dynamics.