The study contributes to the scientific knowledge about dark personality traits. However, the study was conducted on a relatively small group of students and solely based on self-reports. Studies on larger groups, involving other demographics, and those using more objective measures of endorsement of morally debatable behaviors might not yield identical results.

The paper, “Relationships between the Dark Triad and Justification of Morally Debatable Behaviors in College Students,” was authored by Emma P. Paulson and Terry F. Pettijohn II.