‘Ghosting’ in casual relationships linked to some personality types

Ceasing contact with a partner abruptly is considered more acceptable by people with the personality traits of Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy, at least in short-term relationships

Mind



11 November 2021

New Scientist Default Image

Refusing to answer phone calls and messages may seem logical to people with certain personality traits

Dedraw Studio/Shutterstock

Ghosting, or breaking up with someone by stopping contact without warning, is considered more acceptable in short-term relationships, and may be linked with certain personality types, a study suggests.

When someone ends a relationship by abruptly stopping answering phone calls and messages, it can be very painful for their ex-partner, even when the relationship was short-lived.

But according to Peter Jonason at the University of Padua in Italy, such a strategy may seem rational …

source: newscientist.com