STFU and follow: Trait activation of dark triad responses to leader profanity across 19 countries
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: While workplace profanity is typically considered inappropriate, research indicates mixed effects on perceived trustworthiness, intelligence, authenticity, and informality. Using trait activation theory, we examined how leader profanity influences supervisor satisfaction among 5660 employees across 19 countries, considering follower Dark Triad traits (narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy) and country-level income inequality. Leader profanity interacted significantly with each Dark Triad trait. In low-inequality countries, highly Machiavellian and psychopathic followers responded positively to leader profanity, while narcissistic followers showed minimal effects. In high-inequality countries, leader profanity decreased satisfaction regardless of follower personality, suggesting strong situational norms override individual differences. These findings demonstrate that personality traits require specific situational conditions for expression, with societal context establishing boundary conditions for trait activation.
Institutions: National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Houston Community College System, Western Governors University, The University of Texas at Tyler, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Loughborough University, University of York, Hamline University, University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Babeș-Bolyai University, Binghamton University
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,170
OpenAlex ID: W7155199784