Dark Triad of Personality Carder: Psychopathy, Machiavellianism, Narcissism

[Teacher]

"Dark triad of personality" (sometimes - "black triad") - this intriguing name in psychology hides such a group of character traits as psychopathy, narcissism and Machiavellianism, united in one person. It is important that we mean non-clinical conditions, but something that can be squeezed into the framework of the norm. Below you will learn more about the triad itself and what constitutes it, and you can also take the test.

What makes up the dark triad?
If you've read about sociopaths, narcissists, and Machiavellians, you know they have quite a lot in common. In particular, such people do not know how to empathize, do not think about others, are focused on their desires, and have a low level of empathy. They take criticism badly and can be aggressive if things don't go according to their plan. They generally have no problem manipulating or lying to others to achieve their goal. At the same time, they often have high charisma, are smart, seem attractive, although, as a rule, this is just a mask.

Representatives of the three personality types have a number of other common features, so experts began to consider these traits in a complex. Such a complex is called - Dark Triad, in Russian - Dark Triad.

Despite the fact that the constituents of the triad have a lot in common, each has a role to play. Their very brief characteristics are as follows:

• Machiavellians are manipulators who use others for their own purposes;
• Narcissists are extremely narcissistic people with high self-esteem;
• psychopaths are asocial personalities characterized by indifference to others or even cruelty to them, as well as an extremely low level of empathy and impulsivity.

Narcissism is characterized by grandeur, pride, narcissism, and lack of empathy.

Machiavellianism includes manipulation and exploitation of others, cynical disregard for morality, self-interest and deceit.

The main features of psychopathy are antisocial behavior, impulsivity, selfishness, heartlessness and ruthlessness.

Almost all of us have something of the dark triad, but some have such traits significantly, some do not. The test that you can take below will allow you to check yourself.

History Brief: Where Did It All Come From?
In 2002, Delroy Polhus and Kevin Williams, Canadian researchers at the University of British Columbia, showed that three psychological traits - nonclinical narcissism, nonclinical psychopathy and Machiavellianism - form a peculiar syndrome of properties that is promising for the study of the negative ("dark ") side of personality.

The hypothesis began to be studied in the American Psychiatric Association. As it turned out, the three characteristics of the triad are more often found together than separately, which confirmed the theory.

Features of personalities with high scores on the Black Triad
The word “dark” or “black” in the name of the triad emphasizes that communication or other interaction with people who have high levels of psychopathy, narcissism and Machiavellianism does not always pass pleasantly and / or without leaving a trace for others. Given that clinical disorders are not considered here, the immediate threat to life and health in most cases is not relevant.

However, those who show high scores on the levels of the Dark Triad may perceive others as a resource to achieve their goals or, on the contrary, as an annoying obstacle. In either case, they most likely will not hesitate to use manipulation, aggression, blackmail and other not entirely honest methods. They are indifferent to the feelings and needs of other people, and therefore they rarely reckon with them when drawing up and implementing their plans. Such personalities have a number of other negative qualities.

In general, it is believed that the Black Triad reflects the dark sides of the human soul, which is symbolized by the name of this complex. On the other hand, these personality traits also have their merits. In particular, they help their owners to achieve success, build a career: it is easier for such people to manage projects, employees, etc. Our heroes can be very effective in achieving goals, are not afraid to take risks, attract attention and, as a rule, easily make acquaintances (if, of course, they want to).

Perspectives

At work
Oliver James defines each of the three dark triadic personality traits as prevalent in the workplace. Machiavellianism manifests itself in the form of retention of power, tactics of tight control, manipulative behavior. Narcissism is defined as a propensity for counterproductive work behavior, especially when self-esteem is at stake. Workplace psychopathy is characterized by aggression, conflict, stress, absenteeism, and decreased productivity and responsibility.

Internet trolling
Recent studies have shown that people who fall under the definition of "trolls" tend to have dark personality traits, showing signs of sadism, antisocial behavior, psychopathy and Machiavellianism. There is a line of similarity between antisocial activities and the trolling flame, Internet trolling is a kind of manifestation of everyday sadism. Both studies have shown that bullying trolling is common in both teens and adults.

As a marriage strategy
There is an assumption that the traits of the dark triad indicate a predisposition of people to immediate benefits and long-term connections in obtaining benefits and benefits. While advanced societies are developing to promote long-term prospects (environmental protection, saving money for retirement), there are reproductive benefits for personal reflection and short-term action. In addition, men with these traits appear to be more sexually attractive to women. In accordance with this point of view, as studies show, on average, those who display the traits of the dark triad have: an accelerated mating strategy, manifested in a greater number of sexual partners; more favorable attitudes towards casual sex; lowered standards for their short-term partners; a tendency to entice and withdraw partners from others; increased risk of drug abuse; a tendency to prefer an immediate, but less amount of money than a delayed, but more amount; limited self-control and more cases of ADHD; pragmatic and playful love style. These traits have been identified as part of a fast-paced life strategy that seems to be mistaken for an exploitative, opportunistic and multifaceted approach to life in general and at work. There is conflicting evidence on the exact link between the dark triad and reproductive success. For example, there is insufficient data on reproductive success in the case of psychopathy. Moreover, these traits are not universally short-term oriented, and they are not all impulsive. In addition, most of the research that relates to the dark triad pragmatic and playful love style.