Facing the pandemic in the dark: Psychopathic personality traits and life history strategies during COVID-19 lockdown period in different areas of China

• DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-01549-2
• Publication Date: 2021-03-01T03:02:25Z
• Authors: Heng Li; Yu Cao
• Keywords: Life History Theory; Pandemic

The current research aims to examine variation in psychopathic personality traits and life history strategies during COVID-19 lockdown period different areas of China. In Study 1 (N = 564), participants completed explicit measures strategy. To attenuate common method biases, 2 267) employed an alternative measure psychopathy indirect strategy, namely, future-discounting. Across two studies, we found consistent significant evidence that from Wuhan, the initial epicenter pandemic, evidenced a faster strategy markedly higher level than did Chongqing, which was less affected by virus. Furthermore, pattern correlation between observed across groups participants. We also replicated some previously reported studies but not all sex effects were with Chinese populations. Taken together, these findings suggest individuals may show high degree speed response unpredictable adverse environments, provide support for extended plasticity.