Dark Triad Personality Test
The Dark Triad refers to three overlapping but distinct personality traits: Machiavellianism, Narcissism, and Psychopathy. These traits are characterized by malevolent qualities such as callousness, manipulation, and self-centeredness. Take this brief scientific assessment to discover where you stand on these controversial personality dimensions.
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Understanding the Dark Triad
Apart from the many normal personality traits, some traits are unpleasant for others. There are three overlapping types of dark personality traits known as the dark triad.
The triad (i.e., group of three) consists of Machiavellianism, Psychopathy, and Narcissism.
Key aspects of Machiavellianism
- Manipulativeness
- Callous affect
- Strategic-calculating orientation
Key aspects of Psychopathy
- Deficits in affect (i.e., callousness)
- Deficits in self-control (i.e., impulsivity)
Key aspects of Narcissism
- Never-ending quest for ego-reinforcement
- Grandiosity
About the SD3 Test
One of the problems, in general, with personality scales is that they can be quite long, which makes them less practical. A key feature of this SD3 is that it is neither too short nor too long.
Interpreting Your Scores
For this dark triad, you might be particularly interested in what is within the normal range. Scales can range from 1 to 5. Based on Professor Paulus' research, the following normal ranges are given for each of the three traits:
| Trait | Mean | Standard Deviation | Score above this is outside the normal range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machiavellianism | 3.1 | 0.76 | > 3.86 |
| Narcissism | 2.8 | 0.88 | > 3.68 |
| Psychopathy | 2.4 | 1.0 | > 3.40 |
References
- Jones, D. N., & Paulhus, D. L. (2014). Introducing the Short Dark Triad (SD3): A brief measure of dark personality traits. Assessment, 21(1), 28-41. 10.1177/1073191113514105
- Paulhus, D. L., & Williams, K. M. (2002). The Dark Triad of personality: Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. Journal of Research in Personality, 36(6), 556-563. 10.1016/S0092-6566(02)00505-6
Frequently Asked Questions
Have another question? Let us know.
What is the Dark Triad?
The Dark Triad refers to three socially aversive personality traits: Machiavellianism (manipulativeness), narcissism (entitled self-importance), and psychopathy (callousness and impulsivity). The Short Dark Triad (SD3) measures all three in 27 items.
Is having dark traits bad?
Everyone has some level of these traits; they exist on a continuum. Moderately high scores describe a self-focused, tough-minded style that can bring both costs and short-term advantages. Very high combined levels are associated with relationship and ethical problems.
Is the SD3 scientifically valid?
The SD3 was published by Jones and Paulhus in 2014 and has been widely used since. It is shorter than full scales for each trait, trading some depth for efficiency; results are self-reported tendencies, not verdicts.
Should I worry about a high score?
A high score is a description of self-reported tendencies, not a moral judgment or a diagnosis. If the results resonate as problematic patterns in work or relationships, a conversation with a counselor can help more than a score can.
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