Dark Triad Personality Traits: Everything You Need to Know

What Is the Dark Triad?

The Dark Triad describes a constellation of narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism. Individuals with these traits reflect tendencies to engage in harmful, callous, and manipulative behavior toward others.²

The most frequently exhibited Dark Triad behaviors include self-centeredness, low empathy, exploitation of others, and lack of remorse or regret. Sometimes, the triad may manifest as a combination of borderline personality disorder, narcissism, and psychopathy, known as the “vulnerable dark triad.”

What Are Personality Traits?

Personality encompasses a variety of measurable traits, attitudes, thoughts, and behaviors, providing a vocabulary for understanding different individuals. Personality traits are the product of nature and nurture. For instance, some people are naturally outgoing, while others are more reserved.

Experts began assessing personality traits in the 1940s with the Five Factor Model of Personality.³ The Big Five include openness to new experiences, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Most of these characteristics, particularly agreeableness, are generally lower in individuals exhibiting Dark Triad traits.⁴

What Are the Dark Triad Traits?

The Dark Triad traits are narcissism, subclinical psychopathy, and Machiavellianism. Those possessing this personality have little interest in pleasing others or following the rules. Dark Triad features often drive individuals to manipulate and harm others.

Below are the three traits of the Dark Triad:

1. Narcissism

Narcissism describes behavior reflecting an overly inflated ego and sense of entitlement. Other traits associated with narcissism include grandiosity, feelings of superiority, an excessive need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. Individuals must exhibit at least five of nine specific traits to be diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD).⁵

2. Subclinical Psychopathy

Those with subclinical psychopathy, also termed adaptive or successful psychopathy, exhibit core features of psychopathy but can utilize these traits for personal gain.⁶ These individuals gravitate toward thrill-seeking and impulsive behavior compounded by a lack of remorse for harm caused.⁷ Clinical psychopaths also lack morals, empathy, and guilt for harming others.⁸ They are less likely to follow societal rules or obey laws.⁸

3. Machiavellianism

Machiavellianism is the tendency to lie or use deceit to obtain personal desires. The term comes from the 16th-century figure Niccolò Machiavelli. Machiavelli was an Italian political leader who highlighted the necessity of manipulation to achieve personal gain in his book, The Prince.³ The coldness, callousness, and lack of empathy characteristic of his work helped coin the term now associated with the Dark Triad.⁹

Signs of a Dark Triad Personality

Identifying a person with Dark Triad traits can be challenging. The constellation of these traits empowers individuals to use deception and manipulation to mask their behavior. However, some clear signs of the Dark Triad show up in their interactions with others.

Personality characteristics of the Dark Triad include:

• Lack of empathy
• Excessive lying
• Amorality
• Manipulation tactics
• Extreme self-centeredness
• Impulsivity
• Lack of concern for consequences
• Exploiting circumstances for advancement
• Promiscuous and unfaithful behavior
• Promoting themselves or successes
• Bullying others without remorse

What Causes the Dark Triad Personality?

Research suggests that all three Dark Triad traits stem from combined genetic and environmental factors.¹⁰ People are born with the propensity to exhibit narcissism, subclinical psychopathy, and Machiavellianism, but their environments can support or prevent development.

Parental involvement appears to play a role in Dark Triad personality traits. For example, children who receive too little or too much parental praise may lean toward narcissistic behavior. Parental maltreatment, compromised family functioning, and reinforcement of manipulative behaviors may contribute to Machiavellianism. Finally, punitively oriented parents and inconsistent parenting practices can exacerbate predispositions to subclinical psychopathy. While one factor is not responsible for a Dark Triad personality, childhood emotional neglect and other parental missteps may impact its development.

What Is the Light Triad?

The Light Triad exists on the opposite side of the personality spectrum.¹¹ Light Triad personalities describe people who embody caring orientations toward the world juxtaposed against Dark Triad malevolence. The Light Triad includes humanism, Kantianism, and faith in humanity.

Below are the Light Triad traits:

• Humanism: Humanism is the belief that everyone possesses and deserves dignity, value, and worth.
• Kantianism: This trait refers to a sense of obligation to help fellow humans in times of need.
• Faith in humanity: Having “faith in humanity” means seeing the best in people and believing that most people are good.

How to Deal With Someone Who Exhibits Dark Traits

Realizing that someone you trust is exploiting you for personal gain is disconcerting. Dark Triad individuals are master manipulators who can use their charm, lack of concern, and skills at deception to trick others.

The most effective way of dealing with a Dark Triad personality is to put distance between you and that person. These individuals seldom change, and even legal entanglements may not encourage improvement. Be aware of any danger and ensure self-protection when approaching the Dark Triad.

Below are ways to deal with Dark Triad personality traits: 

• Build a healthy support network: Your social network can provide emotional and instrumental support when you share your concerns and challenges. Knowing that someone else understands your situation and has your back can provide a sense of ease.
• Be skeptical of what they say: Never trust what a Dark Triad individual tells you. They will only say what they think you want to hear. Their goal is to manipulate you.
• Don’t let them provoke you: Do not react to their behavior. They view extreme responses as a weakness that feeds their ego and unveils your vulnerabilities.
• Set boundaries: Boundaries are essential in any relationship, but even more so when dealing with dark traits. These individuals are experts at deception and have no conscience. They will go to great lengths to manipulate you, so setting boundaries is crucial.
• Support others who are victimized: If the Dark Triad personality is harming co-workers, friends, or family members, step up and offer them support.
• Don’t share your inner feelings with them: The more information this personality gathers about you, the more harm they can do. Keep your thoughts and feelings to yourself, especially if this person is a colleague.
• Don’t trust them with anything: You must keep your guard up as long as this person is in your life. The less information they have about you and your life, the better.

When to Seek Professional Help

Individuals who exhibit Dark Triad personality traits seldom pursue professional help in reshaping their behavior. However, some research suggests that these people may change their behavior if motivated.¹²

You may benefit from therapy if you are involved with someone who exhibits the Dark Triad. Your relationship may be overwhelming and taxing, so learning new coping strategies can be especially helpful. If you’re unsure how to find a therapist, using an online therapist directory can get you started. Finding and choosing an online therapist is another viable option.