The findings from a study publicized online in PLOS One links belief in social Darwinism to certain dysfunctional psychological characteristics.
Conducted by researchers at the Polish Academy of Sciences, the study involved a four-part survey, with the inclusion of about 600-850 Polish participants during each part.
During the study, researchers focused on the Big Five personality traits when examining links between the traits and belief in social Darwinism, including the Dark triad traits.
The survey concluded that belief in social Darwinism is linked to specific dysfunctional personal characteristics, including increased admiration for power, a desire to dominate, and hostility.
“The results showed the psychological profile of social Darwinists as clearly dysfunctional in terms of personal life quality. They express characteristics like admiration for power and desire to dominate, pursue one’s goals at all costs, exploitative attitude towards people, and hostility,” the authors explained in their study.
“On the other hand, they reveal a fearful style in close relations with others and have low self-esteem and low self-sufficiency. From the societal perspective, such beliefs make up a vision of social life that is unfavorable for building a cooperative, helpful, and relatively egalitarian society.”
“The supreme idea that only those who do not sympathize with others and are ready to use them can be successful and survive is far from the principles of liberal democracy.”
