Dark Triad Personality Traits, Locus of Control and Workplace Deviance among Lawyers: Mediating Role of Moral Disengagement

Abstract

Background.  This study is conducted to investigate the role of moral disengagement as mediator between dark triad personality traits (machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy) and workplace deviance among lawyers. Additionally, the mediating role of moral disengagement between internal locus of control which is dimension of LOC (locus of control) and external control locus (powerful others and chance locus of control dimensions) among lawyers were also explored.

Method.   This is a cross-sectional research design, in which, purposive sampling technique is used. The sample comprised of 300 lawyers working under supervision of senior lawyers as their junior advocates/associates including genders, men and women, with age ranging from 22 to 46 years. The Measure of Short Dark Triad Scale by Jones & Paulhus, 2014, Propensity to Morally Disengage Scale by Moore et al., 2012, Multidimensional Locus of Control Scale by Levenson, 1981 and Workplace Deviance Scale modified for lawyers by Bennett & Robinson, 2000 were used.

Results.   Results of this study showed that moral disengagement acted as mediator between dark triad personality traits and workplace deviance. As well as moral disengagement has showed mediation between subscales of dark triad personality traits which include machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy. Furthermore, results revealed that moral disengagement did not play role as a mediator in internal locus of control and workplace deviance, showing a negative relationship, but moral disengagement positively mediated the relationship between powerful others and chance locus of control which are external control locus dimensions.