J Pers April 2019 PMID 29663404

Do psychopathic birds of a feather flock together? Psychopathic personality traits and romantic preferences.

Ashley L Watts, Jessica C Rohr, Katherine L McCauley, Sarah Francis Smith, Kristin Landfield Howe, Scott O Lilienfeld

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Mentions

28
Peak: 2 in May 2019
across 4 sources since Jan 2019

Extended reach

525,544
potential audience

Total likes

9,903

Video views

489,749

Mentions per month

Jan 2019 – Jul 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News11 articles
  • X / Twitter9 posts
  • Blogs6 articles
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall sentiment shows strong interest and moderate agreement with the study's conclusions, exemplified by comments like 'Psychopaths are attracted to other psychopaths' and mentions of specific terms like 'hibristofilia'. The tone varies from straightforward support to skepticism, which influences the moderate engagement level. The discussion’s focus on behaviors and attractions highlights the relevance of the research, although it remains largely surface-level rather than delving into deeper implications.

AgreementModerate agreement

Many discussions agree with the study's findings that individuals with psychopathic traits tend to be attracted to similar types, indicating general support for the research conclusions.

InterestHigh interest

The discussions show high interest, with posts questioning the nature of attraction to psychopathic traits and referencing the study directly.

EngagementModerate engagement

There is moderate engagement, with some discussing the implications and behaviors related to psychopathy, but limited in-depth analysis.

ImpactModerate impact

The conversations reflect a recognition of the relevance of these findings, though they do not seem to suggest a profound societal impact yet.

Abstract in brief

  • The studies found that although overall attraction to psychopathic traits was generally low, people showed a higher preference for these traits compared to other personality disorders, especially for traits related to interpersonal and affective features (Factor 1).
  • Individuals with pronounced psychopathic features, particularly those with impulsive and antisocial traits (Factor 2), were more likely to prefer psychopathic males as romantic partners.
  • The tendency to be attracted to psychopathic traits and the observation that people often prefer similar types of partners (homophily) could help explain how psychopathic traits continue to exist within populations over time.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
ALIEN espectro cinza ⚔️
@espectrocinza · X

hibristofilia é a atração sexual por criminosos. e quem se atrai por eles, segundo o estudo https://t.co/caFgjNQJ1x são indivíduos q tbm apresentam traços antissociais. e contra intuitivamente: homens costumam se atrair + por mulheres com transtornos de personalidade q mulheres

Sep 25, 2022 · 1 like · 18,145 followers View post →
Thomas 'Brrr' ₿rand
@thlbr · X

https://t.co/bZjRApt6r9 https://t.co/RucC8cMG4M

Oct 11, 2023 · 1 like · 9,525 followers View post →
Pavel_Prosselkov
@PavelProsselkov · X

Why in love to a Psychopath? https://t.co/KJjX0J8Jp0

Jan 17, 2019 · 3,793 followers View post →
Daniel Thomson
@djthomson · X

Psychopaths are attracted to other psychopaths https://t.co/HISadgJaze

May 28, 2019 · 2,088 followers View post →
Joakim Marias
@JoakimMarias · X

https://t.co/Ikvz7l3bpR

Feb 9, 2025 · 884 followers View post →
Joakim Marias
@JoakimMarias · X

Do psychopathic birds of a feather flock together? Psychopathic personality traits and romantic preferences https://t.co/pHekKAyKAD

Feb 9, 2025 · 884 followers View post →

All mentions

Joakim Marias
@JoakimMarias · X

https://t.co/Ikvz7l3bpR

Feb 9, 2025 · 884 followers View post →
Joakim Marias
@JoakimMarias · X

Do psychopathic birds of a feather flock together? Psychopathic personality traits and romantic preferences https://t.co/pHekKAyKAD

Feb 9, 2025 · 884 followers View post →
Thomas 'Brrr' ₿rand
@thlbr · X

https://t.co/bZjRApt6r9 https://t.co/RucC8cMG4M

Oct 11, 2023 · 1 like · 9,525 followers View post →
Mari
@JK47today · X

@Castodd29 @HiruzenReturns @RealPaulElam @pearlythingz https://t.co/HLC32pXOed This study tested both men and women and found that the factors making someone more attracted to psychopathic partners are people with malevolent traits themselves

Aug 24, 2023 · 148 followers View post →
ALIEN espectro cinza ⚔️
@espectrocinza · X

hibristofilia é a atração sexual por criminosos. e quem se atrai por eles, segundo o estudo https://t.co/caFgjNQJ1x são indivíduos q tbm apresentam traços antissociais. e contra intuitivamente: homens costumam se atrair + por mulheres com transtornos de personalidade q mulheres

Sep 25, 2022 · 1 like · 18,145 followers View post →
kieran molony
@kieranmolony · X

@MacrodosingPod Watts, A. L., Rohr, J. C., McCauley, K. L., Smith, S. F., Howe, K. L., & Lilienfeld, S. O. (2019). Do psychopathic birds of a feather flock together? Psychopathic personality traits and romantic preferences. Journal of Personality, 87(2), 341–362. https://t.co/O9gv5dQWdf

Jul 26, 2022 · 122 followers View post →
Category is: Tired Mum Realness
@TqlaMockingbird · X

Seriously though, deliberately hurting a child for media attention is some irredeemable dark triad shit. If you’ve seen that footage and still voting Morrison, I have some reading for you https://t.co/2yFM9aQlIp

May 18, 2022 · 207 followers View post →
Daniel Thomson
@djthomson · X

Psychopaths are attracted to other psychopaths https://t.co/HISadgJaze

May 28, 2019 · 2,088 followers View post →
Pavel_Prosselkov
@PavelProsselkov · X

Why in love to a Psychopath? https://t.co/KJjX0J8Jp0

Jan 17, 2019 · 3,793 followers View post →