Modelling the Relationship between Cyber Fraudulent Trolling and the Dark Tetrad Personality, Considering the Big Six Personality Factors among University Students

Abstract

The current study aimed to explore the stability of the Dark Tetrad four-dimensional personality model in Arab society, marking the first time within the scope of the current researcher's knowledge. Then, the study tested a model explaining the mediating factors between the Big Six personality factors and Cyber Fraudulent Trolling using the Dark Tetrad four-dimensional personality model. The study also aimed to investigate the impact of gender and academic specialization, as well as their interaction, on Cyber Fraudulent Trolling. The sample consisted of 1093 fourth-year university students of both genders, with literary and scientific majors from the College of Education. The following measures were applied to the sample: the Dark Tetrad four-dimensional personality scale, the Cyber Fraudulent Trolling scale, and the Big Six personality factors scale (Short Form). The results showed the stability of the Dark Tetrad personality model in the Arab environment. There were correlational relationships between the Dark Tetrad personality and the Big Six personality factors on one hand, and Cyber Fraudulent Trolling on the other hand. Cyber Fraudulent Trolling could be predicted through the Dark Tetrad four-dimensional personality and the Big Six personality factors, with differences in predictive ability. The Dark Tetrad four-dimensional personality mediated between the Big Six personality factors and Cyber Fraudulent Trolling. Finally, gender, academic specialization, and their interaction had no statistically significant effect on Cyber Fraudulent Trolling scores.