The term “Dark Triad” sounds ominous, but what does it actually mean?
They are highly disagreeable, lacking in empathy, highly self-interested, and/or manipulative.
What is the “Dark Triad”?
The three personality traits are not diagnosable mental health conditions themselves, he notes.
The 3 dark personality types.
These similar but distinct dark personality traits present themselves in different ways.
Unless you’re a psychologist, it is easy to misdiagnose one bad behavior for another.
And that could be a dangerous miscalculationsome are more physically aggressive, while others are more emotionally manipulative.
He says that if you could’t tell these personalities apart, then you’re not alone.
Because they are so deeply correlated, a lot of research highlights the selfish commonalities they share.
Those who can’t may simply be revealing an overlap with psychopathy.
Psychopaths lack a natural aversion to harming others but tend to operate on a shorter timeline than Machiavellians.
Psychopathycan share a lot with narcissistic tendencies.
However, its exploitative nature distinguishes it from the other dark triad personality traits.
Jonason says that psychopathy comes down to ruthless selfishness coupled withinterpersonal boldness.
As such, many of the measures of psychopathy come from clinical psychology frameworks.
Jonason also observes that people with psychopathic tendencies seem reckless or careless because they like to take risks.
People with psychopathic tendencies don’t have cautious inhibitions, so they tend to bend or break the rules.
They are not driven by emotion or sex.
They’re driven by achieving the long-term manipulation of an agenda."
Machiavellians exude duplicitousness and pragmatism.
Their agenda, not the people along the way, is truly what matters most to them.
Research on the Dark Triad.
Zeigler-Hill notes many contemporary studies are trying to pinpoint how the Dark Triad functions in romantic relationships.
(Here’s more on the varioustypes of narcissism.)
How to identify Dark Triad personalities.
Jonason is working on a book that compiles a number of tools out there to identify these traits.
Jonason admits that his tool, as well as many others, has gender implications.
As such, these tools might artificially inflate sex and gender differences.
However, Jonason explains that there might be different manifestations of psychopathy based on gender.
“What weknowis about how these traits manifest in men.
Hisrecent research on cyberstalkingshows the nuance of how female dark personalities differ from males.
Importantly, Dark Triad traits are not diagnosable mental health conditions.
“For example, everyone possesses some level of narcissism.
Dealing with dark personality types.
So don’t take a stab at change them, but work around them.”
In extreme cases,abusephysical or mentalcan be one of many unhealthy outcomes.
Freedomestic violence hotlinesare also available to help youleave an abusive relationship.
What is the “Light Triad”?
The Light Triad includes humanism, Kantianism, and faith in humanity.
Here’s how Park describes each one:
Takeaways.
When all three are present, so, too, is the Dark Triad.
