THE DARK TRIAD
Rachel Callahan
Logan Roach
A Brief Introduction
 The Dark Triad was first introduced by Paulhus and
Williams in 2002.
 Research on each of the traits began in isolation from one
another.
 Relatively moderate correlations between them
 Dark Triad traits overlap but are unique personality
constructs.
Perspectives
 Researchers treat these traits as pathological, something
that needs to be treated, and inherently undesirable.
 It is suggested that dark triad traits predispose individuals
to short-term rewards and relationships.
 We tend to promote long-term thinking as a society,
although there are reproductive benefits for the individual
acting on a shorter time frame.
 Those who exhibit these traits have an accelerated mating
strategy. (Casual sex, more partners, lowered standards)
A Visual
Machiavellianism
Psychopathy
Narcissism
Narcissism
 Entails a sense of entitlement and superiority.
 Originated with Narcissus in Greek mythology.
 An Axis II disorder in the diagnostic manual.
 A concept in psychoanalytic theory introduced in
Sigmund Freud’s On Narcissism.
 Strive to be the best and they want everyone to assure
them they are the best.
Narcissistic personality
disorder
 NPD affects 1% of the population.
 High levels of narcissism can manifest themselves in a
pathological form which results in NPD.
 Individual is excessively preoccupied with issues of
personal adequacy, power, prestige, and vanity.
 Heinz Kohut first proposed NPD in 1968
 Feel inferior and unloved.
Famous Narcissists
 Ted Bundy
 Paris Hilton
 Machiavelli
 Joseph Stalin
 Adolph Hitler
 And…
Kanye West
 “If I was just a fan of music, I would think that I was the
number one artist in the world.” – Kanye West
Machiavellianism
 Characterized by manipulation and exploitation of others,
a cynical disregard for morality, and a focus on selfinterest and deception.
 Derives from the Italian Renaissance diplomat and writer
Niccolò Machiavelli
 Machiavellianism is a negative term to characterize
corrupt politicians in Niccolò Machiavelli’s book The
Prince. 1513
How Mach Are You?
 Social and personality psychologists use Machiavellianism
to describe a person’s tendency to be unemotional.
 Some psychologists consider Machiavellianism to be a
subclinical form of psychopathy.
 St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre is seen as a product of
Machiavellianism.
 A twenty-statement personality survey, became the
standard self-assessment tool of Machiavellianism.
Mach IV Test
Our Results
Antisocial Personality
Disorders
 Also known as dissocial personality disorder
 “Characterized by a pervasive pattern of disregard for, or
violation of, the rights of others.”
 3.6% of the world population shows symptoms of APD
while men are 3 times more likely to exhibit behavior.
 People don’t recognize their disorder. Blames society.
 Peer nomination. Basic reports of behavior.
Psychopathy
 First documented use was in the mid 1800s
 Characterized by enduring social behavior, impulsivity,
selfishness, callousness, and remorselessness.
 Studies have shown that when a psychopath is presented a
negative word, the activity in the amygdala and
hippocampus is less than that of a sane person.
 Psychopaths tend to act on impulse and show little to no
fear which leads to excessive risk taking, violence, or
criminal activity.
Sociopathy
 First introduced in 1909 in Germany by Psychiatrist Karl
Birnbaum.

Defining features include violations of social norms or antisocial behavior.
 Must be 18 years old and have shown a disregard for the rights
and safety of others to be diagnosed.
 One of the more famous sociopaths is Henri Desire Landru.
Henri used a personal column called Interested In Matrimony.
Succeeded in seducing 10 women, bilked them of their savings,
murdered and disposed of their bodies and recorded everything
in a journal. All while maintaining a marriage and a mistress.
Treatment
 Many of the individuals don’t seek treatment on their
own, without being mandated to therapy by a court.
 No effective treatment for Axis II disorders.
 Psychotherapy
 Psychiatric medication may be used to help with certain
conditions sometimes associated with APD or the
aggression.
Conclusion
 The Dark Triad is a group of three personality traits:
narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy.
 Psychopathy and sociopathy are both anti-social personality
disorders.
 Many people with APD commit crimes and are caught due to
their frequency and flagrancy of their actions.
 Bullies, compulsive liars, people who speed through school
zones share the same blindness to human pain as someone with
APD.
 No known treatments for Sociopathy or Psychopathy