The Role of Dark Personality Traits in Shaping Bystander Behavior to Cyberbullying Among adults: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Cyberbullying is defined as a type of bullying that has been experienced in recent years and involves the use of electronic media to threaten or harass others. This systematic review aims to review the literature on the effect of dark personality traits such as Machiavellianism, Narcissism, Psychopathy, and Sadism on bystander behavior in cyberbullying among adults. Among the databases searched, including PsycARTICLES, PubMed, IEEE Xplore, Scopus, and Google Scholar, the publications from 2010 to 2024 were selected, and 52 articles were included in this study. The review indicates that dark personality traits affect bystander behavior since they lead to inaction and encourage passive or acquiescent behavior. In particular, narcissists will not act unless there are personal social returns to bullying, whereas psychopaths are either apathetic or proactive in bullying. Machiavellians will likely analyze the circumstances and become involved only when it benefits them. In contrast, sadists are likely to increase the level of bullying to gain pleasure from other people’s suffering. Empathy training, a decrease in anonymity, and platform-specific regulation are suggested to combat these influences. The review also points to the gaps, including the lack of cross-cultural comparisons, longitudinal data, and randomized controlled trials to determine causality. Putting together psychophysiological data and looking at the overall effects of interventions can help us figure out how the bystander's choice is made in terms of thought and emotion.