Pride
The Haughty Lord
The story behind this word
Medieval Christians ranked pride (superbia) first among the deadly sins — the fall from which every other fall begins. They told it as Lucifer's story: an angel who could not bear to be second, and fell by that alone. The remedy of the age was a "ladder of humility," twelve rungs down, climbed honestly one step at a time. Psychology has retired the ladder, but it still studies the same thing: what happens when self-worth has to be propped up by feeling superior. That is what this dimension measures.
A tendency to lean on superiority and recognition as the source of self-worth.
Behind pride there is often a simple need — to be seen as capable and worthy. Sometimes that need speaks louder than the situation calls for.
When Pride is high
A strong drive for recognition and status. Confidence is an asset, but staying open to others' input keeps it healthy.
When Pride is low
You rarely need the spotlight. Grounded self-worth lets you credit others without feeling diminished.
Everyday signals
The higher this score climbs, the more these tend to show up:
- Replaying conversations where you felt slighted
- Downplaying other people's part in shared wins
- Taking a comment or review as a personal attack
The healthy middle
Confidence and accountability can coexist: you can own your wins and still own your misses.
One question to ask yourself
Last time I was wrong, how long did it take me to say so out loud?
One small practice
Once a week, say "I was wrong about that" about something small — out loud, to the person it concerns.
The psychology behind it
Pride maps onto narcissistic traits and defensive self-esteem, studied with instruments such as the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (Raskin & Terry, 1988).
The other side of the axis
- HumilityThe Quiet Sentinel
All 14 dimensions
Curious where you land? Take the free 42-question test.
This test is for educational and self-reflection purposes only. It is not a diagnostic tool and makes no moral judgment. If you are experiencing mental health concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Veselka, L., Giammarco, E. A., & Vernon, P. A. (2014). The Dark Triad and the seven deadly sins. Personality and Individual Differences, 67, 75-80.
