Do I Have Any Dark Triad Traits?

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Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy: together, they form the dark triad. On paper, these traits can sound a little scary! Try not to worry, though. Just like everyone else, your personality includes positive and less-than-positive traits—but at the end of the day, you decide the kind of person you want to become. This quiz will help you begin that journey!

Answer to our questions below, and we'll tell you where you stand.

This quiz is not meant to be a diagnostic tool and should not be used as such. Only a mental health professional can officially diagnose mental health conditions and disorders.

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Questions Overview

1. Choose the statement you relate to the most:
  1. I enjoy happy and healthy friendships with all my friends.
  2. I set healthy boundaries in all my relationships.
  3. I can be a little manipulative sometimes, but I’m aware that it’s a problem.
  4. I see the people in my life as pawns rather than friends.
2. Choose the statement that sounds the most like you:
  1. I give my friends plenty of time to talk in a given conversation.
  2. I love it when my friends talk about the things they love.
  3. I tend to dominate conversations, but I usually try to reign myself in.
  4. I get angry and irritated when I’m not the center of attention.
3. Choose which statement you identify with the most:
  1. I can put myself in someone else’s shoes really easily.
  2. When my friends hurt, I hurt.
  3. I have trouble feeling empathy for people sometimes, but it’s something I’m working on.
  4. I lost all of my friends because they told me I had no empathy.
4. I love learning people’s darkest secrets. Knowledge is power, right?
  1. Strongly disagree
  2. Slightly disagree
  3. Slightly agree
  4. Strongly agree
5. When someone wrongs me, I always want payback. Sometimes, I'll even try to get my revenge.
  1. Strongly disagree
  2. Slightly disagree
  3. Slightly agree
  4. Strongly agree
6. Any party is totally boring until I show up.
  1. Strongly disagree
  2. Slightly disagree
  3. Slightly agree
  4. Strongly agree
7. My biggest dream is being ultra-famous and admired by everyone around me.
  1. Strongly disagree
  2. Slightly disagree
  3. Slightly agree
  4. Strongly agree
8. I’m not one to regret my actions, even if someone gets hurt because of my choices.
  1. Strongly disagree
  2. Slightly disagree
  3. Slightly agree
  4. Strongly agree
9. I’m not one of those “lawful good” types—I don’t think that the world is black and white.
  1. Strongly disagree
  2. Slightly disagree
  3. Slightly agree
  4. Strongly agree
10. I tend to put myself first. Have to look out for the #1!
  1. Strongly disagree
  2. Slightly disagree
  3. Slightly agree
  4. Strongly agree
11. I don't always feel like I have a strong sense of others' thoughts or emotions.
  1. Strongly disagree
  2. Slightly disagree
  3. Slightly agree
  4. Strongly agree
12. I sometimes manipulate situations to my advantage. Don’t hate the player, hate the game!
  1. Strongly disagree
  2. Slightly disagree
  3. Slightly agree
  4. Strongly agree
13. I tend to see the glass as half-empty. I definitely wouldn't say that I'm an optimistic person.
  1. Strongly disagree
  2. Slightly disagree
  3. Slightly agree
  4. Strongly agree
14. I feel most happy and satisfied when all eyes are on me. I love attention.
  1. Strongly disagree
  2. Slightly disagree
  3. Slightly agree
  4. Strongly agree
15. I tend to make decisions without thinking about what comes next.
  1. Strongly disagree
  2. Slightly disagree
  3. Slightly agree
  4. Strongly agree

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All About the Dark Triad

What is the dark triad?
The dark triad consists of three negative personality traits that have overlapping qualities: narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism (manipulativeness). The term was created by researchers Delroy L. Paulhus and Kevin M. Williams in 2002, who analyzed these 3 traits against the Big Five personality paradigm (a test that defines a person’s personality using 5 traits: openness, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism).

Through their research, Paulhus and Williams identified that narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism have a lot in common but are still separate and distinct ideas.

The Dark Triad Traits

  • Narcissism: Narcissism refers to an inflated sense of self and self-importance. Narcissistic individuals have trouble relating to other people, require lots of admiration, and need to be the center of attention as much as possible.
    • Narcissism is typically viewed on a spectrum.
  • Machiavellianism: Machiavellianism refers to a sense of manipulativeness, dishonesty, and cynicism. Its name comes from Renaissance-era philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli, a cynic who believed that rulers should use manipulation, dishonesty, and fear to effectively rule over others. He is well-known for quotes like:
    • “It is far safer to be feared than loved.”
    • “He who seeks to deceive will always find someone who will allow himself to be deceived.”
    • “If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared.”
    • Machiavellianism can also be viewed on a spectrum.
  • Psychopathy: Psychopathy refers to a lack of empathy and an inability to feel regret or shame for one’s actions. Psychopaths tend to feel apathetic and insensitive toward others, but can mask their true nature beneath a friendly facade.
    • Some psychologists view psychopathy on a spectrum, while others do not.


How do you know if you have dark triad traits?
Meet with a mental health professional to be properly tested for dark triad traits. While online quizzes such as this one can be a helpful starting point, they aren’t meant to be (and shouldn’t be used as) a replacement for a clinical diagnosis. Only a mental health professional can accurately screen your symptoms and provide you with an official diagnosis.

What does it mean if you have dark triad traits?
Nothing official—but you may have to be a little more mindful about the way engage with others. People with dark triad traits often have trouble relating to others and may mislead or strong-arm other people to get what they want. Consider meeting with a mental health professional who can officially diagnose your symptoms and help you take an honest and objective look at the way you interact with other people.


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