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YPIE Scientist: Amelia Varghese
- May 22, 2025
- 1 min read
Research: Examining Academic Performance Through the Lens of Dark Tetrad Personality Traits
Mentor: Jake Schofield
Research Location: Yonkers, NY
Abstract:
The Dark Tetrad is a personality type that consists of four personality traits: Machiavellianism, Sadism, Narcissism, and Psychopathy. These four traits are correlated with one another but have very distinct characteristics. While there have been several studies on the broad idea of the Dark Tetrad, there has not been a study aiming to identify a correlation between The Dark Tetrad and academic performance in high school adolescents. This study aims to identify whether a student’s academic performance affects the level of dark tetrad traits they exhibit. 62 high school students completed a self-report questionnaire consisting of 5 scales: The Youth Psychopathic Trait Inventory (Andershed et. al 2002), Personality Inventory (Ames et. al 2006), Machiavellian Inventory (Christie et. al 1970; Romney, 1979), Sadistic Impulse Scale (Chabrol et. al 2011; O’Meara et. al 2011) and a Study Habits Inventory (Academic Resource Center) to determine their dark tetrad score, and then self-reported their grades in school. This study shows a weak negative correlation between Dark Tetrad traits exhibited and how well a student performs in their academics. This study possibly suggests that a small number of adolescents exhibiting traits of The Dark Tetrad are being affected academically.
About this scientist: Amelia Varghese is a senior who is currently a full International Baccalaureate student at Yonkers Middle High School. In college she plans to major in marketing/ public relations driven by her interests in working in the business field and passion of helping others, as well as her strengths in planning and organizing in the real-world settings.
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'Somers 2023, WESEF 2024,' nice awards! I'm curious to see the results of Amelia's study on the Dark Tetrad and academic performance-wonder if my late-night doomscrolling has any impact on my productivity, haha. Free Zalgo Glitch Text this is not!
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