The (mis)measurement of the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen: exploitation at the core of the scale

Abstract

Background. The dark side of human character has been conceptualized in the Dark Triad Model: Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism. These three dark traits are often measured using single long instruments for each one of the traits. Nevertheless, there is a necessity of short and valid personality measures in psychological research. As an independent research group, we replicated the factor structure, convergent validity and item response for one of the most recent and widely used short measures to operationalize these malevolent traits, namely, Jonason’s Dark Triad Dirty Dozen. We aimed to expand the understanding of what the Dirty Dozen really captures because the mixed results on construct validity in previous research.Method. We used the largest sample to date to respond to the Dirty Dozen (N = 3,698). We firstly investigated the factor structure using Confirmatory Factor Analysis and an exploratory distribution analysis of the items in the Dirty Dozen. Secondly, using a sub-sample (n = 500) and correlation analyses, we investigated the Dirty Dozen dark traits convergent validity to Machiavellianism measured by the Mach-IV, psychopathy measured by Eysenck’s Personality Questionnaire Revised, narcissism using the Narcissism Personality Inventory, and both neuroticism and extraversion from the Eysenck’s questionnaire. Finally, besides these Classic Test Theory analyses, we analyzed the responses for each Dirty Dozen item using Item Response Theory (IRT).Results. The results confirmed previous findings of a bi-factor model fit: one latent core dark trait and three dark traits. All three Dirty Dozen traits had a striking bi-modal distribution, which might indicate unconcealed social undesirability with the items. The three Dirty Dozen traits did converge too, although not strongly, with the contiguous single Dark Triad scales (r between .41 and .49). The probabilities of filling out steps on the Dirty Dozen narcissism-items were much higher than on the Dirty Dozen items for Machiavellianism and psychopathy. Overall, the Dirty Dozen instrument delivered the most predictive value with persons with average and high Dark Triad traits (theta > −0.5). Moreover, the Dirty Dozen scale was better conceptualized as a combined Machiavellianism-psychopathy factor, not narcissism, and is well captured with item 4: ‘I tend to exploit others towards my own end.’Conclusion. The Dirty Dozen showed a consistent factor structure, a relatively convergent validity similar to that found in earlier studies. Narcissism measured using the Dirty Dozen, however, did not contribute with information to the core of the Dirty Dozen construct. More importantly, the results imply that the core of the Dirty Dozen scale, a manipulative and anti-social trait, can be measured by a Single Item Dirty Dark Dyad (SIDDD).

Dark Time Matter: Dark Character Profiles and Time Perspective

“…As such, malevolent character expresses the characteristics of multi-finality and equifinality. That being said, previous studies suggest that the dark triad is rather a dyad, with an antisocial and manipulative factor and a narcissistic factor (e.g., , Kajonius, Persson, Garcia, & Rosenberg, 2016. Others have also pointed out that darkness is just the absence of light, and that we probably need to investigate the lack or underdevelopment of light character traits in order to understand what makes societies flourish or perish cf.…”

“…Individuals high in Machiavellianism are manipulative (Jones & Paulhus, 2009), have a cynical worldview and lack morality (Christie & Geis, 1970), individuals high in narcissism have a tremendous sense of grandiosity and need for exhibitionism but, at the same time, a vulnerable self-esteem (Morf & Rhodewalt, 2001;Raskin R & Hall, 1979), and individuals high in psychopathy are low in empathy, low in conscientiousness, experience low levels of anxiety, are highly impulsive, and express high levels of thrill-seeking behavior (Furnham, Richards, & Paulhus, 2013, Hare, 1985. Hence, individuals high in any of the dark character traits have one core behavior in common: uncooperativeness (Garcia, Adrianson, Archer, & Rosenberg, 2015;Kajonius, Persson, Rosenberg, & Garcia, 2016). In other words, individuals who express these malevolent character traits or the lack of a mature character (i.e., low empathy, low self-control, and low "moral intuition") might orient society towards violence (i.e., separation) and away from cooperation and altruism (i.e., unity) (cf.…”

Dark Triad Traits and Mate Retention Behaviors in Romantic Couples: The Actor–Partner Interdependence Model

“…For example, they used Dirty Dozen (Jonason & Webster, 2010), which has been considered too brief to capture critical construct variance (Maples, Lamkin, & Miller, 2014). Consequently, studies suggest that it is better conceptualized as a combined Machiavellianism-psychopathy factor than threefactor scale (e.g., Kajonius, Persson, Rosenberg, & Garcia, 2016).…”

A primer on the Dark Triad traits

“…It has been suggested that the Dark Triad traits reflect a meaningful and evolutionary relevant latent construct (Jonason et al, 2009), and idea that has received support from overseas researchers (Bertl, Pietschnig, Tran, Stieger, & Voracek, 2017) and those parsing the shared and unique variance using structural equation modelling in relation to important outcomes like sexual assault (Figueredo et al, 2015;Jonason, Girgis, & Milne-Home, 2017). However, recent evidence has also claimed there might not even be three traits but, merely a combined Machiavellianism and psychopathy factor with narcissism standing alone for both the SD3 and the DD measures (Kajonius, Persson, Rosenberg, & Garcia, 2016;Persson, Kajonius, & Garcia, 2017). Others still suggest that the Dark Triad consists primarily of psychopathy (Glenn & Sellbom, 2015); a contention that is often verified when the outcome the Dark Triad traits are indexed on is 'dark' itself (James et al, 2014).…”