Texting patterns could reveal dark personality traits, psychologist says

A University of Liverpool psychologist says everyday texting can reveal dark personality traits, including psychopathy, through the words people choose in routine messages. Charlotte Entwistle argues in an article for The Conversation that how we text—whether in a quick message, a long email, a casual chat, or an online comment—can quietly reflect deeper patterns in thinking, feeling, and relating to others.

Those patterns can show up as higher use of hostile or negative language and more frequent self-focus, according to Entwistle. She notes that frequent swearing, expressed anger, and persistent negativity can serve as red flags, while a reduced use of socially oriented terms like "we" may accompany darker traits. Such linguistic signals are described as part of the larger framework psychologists call the Dark Tetrad, which encompasses narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism.

The four traits comprising the Dark Tetrad each involve distinct but overlapping behaviors: narcissism features grandiosity and a lack of empathy; Machiavellianism involves manipulation and deceit; psychopathy includes impulsivity and callousness; and sadism reflects pleasure in others’ suffering. Entwistle says that while these traits can be present in milder forms, the way people text can reveal tendencies toward these patterns even before more overt behavior appears.

In her discussion, Entwistle emphasizes that language is a window into how someone thinks and relates to others. She points to research showing that people who display darker traits often default to language that is more hostile, negative, and disconnected, and that this can be visible in both short texts and longer communications. She adds that self-referential language—using words like "I" and "me"—is more common among those who exhibit these traits, while socially oriented terms such as "we" or "us" appear less frequently.

The concept of the Dark Tetrad has been referenced in prior studies, including links found between such traits and behaviors like disrespect for animals, humiliating others, or being single. Entwistle notes that language patterns can provide early signals in everyday interactions—whether in dating, at work, or online—helping people recognize hostility, extreme negativity, or cognitive rigidity before those patterns escalate.

The Conversation article also cites historical examples to illustrate language patterns. In particular, Entwistle mentions the personal letters of Austrian serial killer Jack Unterweger, which reportedly contained unusually high levels of self-focused language and a notably flat emotional tone. She uses this example to suggest that linguistic analysis can offer insights into the mindsets behind actions, though she cautions that such signals are not definitive diagnoses.

Entwistle says the practical aim of this area of study is not to label people but to improve understanding in everyday life. By recognizing patterns such as high self-reference, frequent anger words, and heavy use of swear words alongside a relative lack of social terminology, individuals may better navigate dating, friendships, and online interactions with greater awareness. The goal, she adds, is to support those who may be struggling and to foster safer, more informed social engagement online and offline.

Psychopathy, in particular, is described by experts as a spectrum. Dr. Robert Hare’s Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) is a diagnostic tool used to assess where someone falls on that spectrum. While the public often associates psychopathy with violent crime, professionals warn that many individuals with psychopathic traits do not become killers. They may, instead, be adept at manipulation and deception, sometimes presenting superficially charming behavior while lacking genuine empathy. Entwistle underscores that such dynamics can emerge in everyday relationships and interactions, not just in extreme cases.

Experts caution that language analysis is not a stand-alone diagnostic method. It is one piece of a broader effort to understand personality traits and their implications for behavior. In the digital age, where much communication occurs through text, recognizing certain linguistic cues could help people assess compatibility, assess risk in online interactions, and approach social situations with greater caution and empathy.

The discussion of texting patterns and dark personality traits sits within broader health and psychology conversations about how everyday behavior reflects underlying dispositions. While the findings are not definitive proofs of personality disorders, they contribute to a growing interest in how language use can illuminate cognitive and emotional processes and help people navigate social life more safely and thoughtfully.