[2] Elevated levels in D predispose individuals towards a broad range of socially and ethically aversive thoughts and behaviors, such as aggression, bullying, cheating, crime, stealing, vandalism, violence, and many others.
D is defined as the tendency to "maximize one's individual utility — disregarding, accepting, or malevolently provoking disutility for others —, accompanied by beliefs that serve as justifications".
Such beliefs include, for instance, considering oneself (or one's group) as superior and entitled, endorsing ideologies favoring dominance of individuals or groups, viewing the world as a dangerous place and competitive jungle, believing that others are stupid or somehow losers and, in turn, deserve to be exploited, and many more.
[3] These beliefs allow individuals high in D to act in ways that harm others without feelings of guilt or remorse, and thereby contribute to the maintenance of malevolent behavior.
The D factor has a r=0.63 correlation with low HEXACO Honesty-Humility, and the two concepts have been called "strongly overlapping, yet functionally different and nomologically distinct constructs".