The nature and correlates of the dark triad: The answers depend on the questions.

Abstract

The past several decades have witnessed a proliferation of research on the dark triad (DT), a set of traits comprising Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy. The bulk of DT research has been marked by several core assumptions, most notably that each DT construct is a monolithic entity that is clearly separable from its counterpart DT constructs. To examine the tenability of these assumptions, we pooled data from 2 samples of North American community members (ns = 312 and 351) to explore (a) the external validity and profile similarities of DT indicators and (b) the factor structure of the DT. Using general personality dimensions as external criteria, we demonstrated that each DT measure is multidimensional and that subdimensions within DT measures often display sharply different and at times even opposing relations with personality domains; these opposing relations were largely obscured at the total score level adopted in most of the DT literature. In both samples, confirmatory factor analyses and exploratory structural equation models provided no clear support for the traditional tripartite DT structure delineated in the literature. Instead, various aspects of the DT constructs fractionated across a number of factors that represented more basic personality elements (e.g., emotional stability, grandiosity). Taken together, our findings raise serious questions regarding the standard model of DT research and suggest that the questions posed regarding the correlates of DT constructs hinge crucially on the specific DT measure and subdimension examined. (PsycINFO Database Record

Relationship between the Dark Triad and depressive symptoms

“…Recent years have seen an exponential rise in the level of attention paid to studying DT (Watts et al, 2017; Muris et al, 2017). Although there is a specific literature showing the advantages of scoring high on DT traits, such as greater confidence, commitment, control and physical activity (Sabouri et al, 2016a, 2016b), much of the research on DT has focused on the negative consequences that these traits may have for society in general (Kennealy et al, 2010).…”

Components of the Triarchic Model of Psychopathy are nested within the Five-Factor Model

“…An additional issue related to Boldness is that it is multidimensional in nature, comprise very high level of emotional stability (low Neuroticism) and very high levels of extraversion. Although a composite of FFM Neuroticism and Extraversion did a good job approximating Boldness from an FFM perspective, we believe that studying Boldness or the N/E composite as a singular construct has substantial limitations, just as studying psychopathy as a singular construct does (e.g., Miller et al, 2012;Watts et al, 2017). First, it significantly limits the potential for translation between Boldness and FFM Neuroticism and Extraversion.…”

As cold as a fish? Relationships between the Dark Triad personality traits and affective experience during the day: A day reconstruction study

“…A different way to interpret the differences regarding emotions is to analyze more basic personality elements that are behind the particular dark traits and their dimensions [140]. The traits which are shared by all the DT constructs constitute the so-called "dark core" [141,142] that includes Honesty-Humility, disagreeableness [8,[143][144][145], callousness [146], and antagonism [141].…”