What is the Dark Triad?

This video answers the question: What is the dark triad? When we talk about the dark triad, we're talking about a theory that there are three specific personality traits that can come together to cause specific difficulties. These traits are narcissism, psychopathy, and a trait referred to as Machiavellianism. The idea with this theory is that all three of these traits share a personality trait called antagonism, which we could conceptualize as low agreeableness on the five-factor model. Narcissism, as it relates to the dark triad, has two different types: grandiose and vulnerable. With grandiose narcissism, we see traits like being dominant, arrogant, exploiting other people, and exhibitionism. With vulnerable narcissism, we see characteristics like being shy, distrusting other people, having mood lability, and being self-critical. Most of the research on the dark triad is really referring to grandiose narcissism and not vulnerable narcissism. With psychopathy, we see characteristics like violating social norms, being callous, having a lack of empathy, being impulsive, irresponsible, having superficial charm, being manipulative, and having shallow effect. When we look at the research that studies psychopathy related to the dark triad, we're really talking about a continuum where there can be subclinical psychopathy all the way up to clinical psychopathy. The last trait in the dark triad is Machiavellianism. We don't really see this mentioned in the clinical literature very much. This is really something we see more in literature related to careers. With Machiavellianism, we see characteristics like being manipulative, callous, being goal-oriented, having a satisfactory to a good level of impulse control, and tending to be related to white-collar crime or at least white-collar antisocial behavior. An important point with Machiavellianism is that there's no clinical impairment here with this particular trait.
Vize, C. E., Lynam, D. R., Collison, K. L., & Miller, J. D. (2018). Differences among dark triad components: A meta-analytic investigation. Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment, 9(2), 101-111. doi:10.1037/per0000222

[aryansingh]

On a side note, Dark Triad sounds like some evil organisation.

[russellfultz]

I found this very enlightening. I know someone who embodies these I have never met a more darker or dangerous woman in my life!

[thirtycats]

I’m glad you made a distinction between clinical and not. I’ve seen this idea going around that says narcissism is a mental disorder and the label should not be used to describe people. Because doing so is ableism. I think the idea is ridiculous and also offensive to anyone who’s been mistreated or abused by a narcissist.

[sifis]

you can tell from one simple look at good psychiatrists from the bad ones.
the bad ones talk, but their goal is to promote themselves, through the subject they are talking.
the good trully talk about something, with their mind focused at giving a good explanation.
and by doing that they promote themselves.
personaly, i found a superb psychiatrist after 20 years.
Cheers Dr. Todd!

[ciaran]

Some impulses are more publicly encouraged or publicly acceptable, so I have found based on personal experience, there is poor impulse control when it is agreeable to the actor’s intended audience.

[janicedixon]

Thank you for this video! I have never heard of the dark triad before.

[jamesjosephwaskiel]

Thank you very much for helping me understand.
Your lectures are enlightening and awakening.

[tcdrmgr]

Thank you so much for what you do!! You make everything so clear and easy to understand!! You're the best!!!!

[JoeDirt-elfr]

The three of these traits together wreak havoc

[rschotsal]

So narcissism plus psychopathy equals dark dyad. Got it. After all machiavellianism is found in psychopathy and therefore redundant. Thanks

[tsbcmhc]

This was very interesting! I never heard of the "Dark Triad" before viewing this video. Thanks for explaining this theory is such great detail!

[marybachmann]

I totally agree with your view of the dark triad, and will now be thinking "dark dyad" whenever I see reference to it.

[virginiamurrey]

I have read passages about the dark triad and its three personality traits, and remained a bit confused. This video has assisted with receiving clarity on the subject.

[kikixiong]

This is a very useful video. Thank you for explaining!

[thehonoredone]

After hearing the name of an organization in this anime called BC I decided to look more into this “Dark Triad” thus, I am here

[zaqxsw]

If Machiavellianism is a sub-category of psychopathy, then why is its extreme presentation not considered a clinical impairment, when any extreme presentation of psychopathy is considered a clinical impairment?

[veronicabetz]

Excellent! I have heard about Machiavellianism in relation to music rappers. However, I didn't know that it was considered a sub-clinical variant. I do appreciate your professional clinical opinion on the Dark Triad.

[johnryan]

Thanks for the video. I do see a distinct difference between Machiavellianism and psychopathy. What is common is there destructiveness. The difference is the 'nature' of their destructiveness. A Machiavellian boss may reprimand an employee in front of others. This act has a pragmatic element (Machiavellian) as it sends a message to 'others' that something will not be tolerated. The person giving the reprimand does not get enjoyment from the act itself but instead uses the act as a political 'message' to maintain authority power or control (a political move). A psychopathic boss may reprimand someone but the goal/motivation/reward is different. When 3 dark traits come together you get the perfect destructive storm (dark triad).

I can see where you coming from as Machiavellianism and psychopathy have similar traits as both have very pragmatic elements.

[umwha]

In psychopathy we see low impulse control? But isn’t it true that we see psychopaths over represented as CEOs?

[danielkomorowski]

Dark Triad sounds like a heavy metal band name to me🤟🏻