The Dark Triad: 12 Personality Traits to Look For

Have you ever encountered someone whose behavior seems manipulatively charismatic, eerily calm in chaos, or self-centered to an extreme? You might be dealing with a Dark Triad individual.

In this article, we’ll break down the traits of a Dark Triad and give you tips on how to deal with a Dark Triad individual in your life.

What is the Dark Triad?

The Dark Triad is a personality type that includes Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and Psychopathy. These three traits are distinct yet interrelated, often manifesting in behaviors challenging in personal and professional relationships. People with dark triad traits are found to have a lack of moral development^{1https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19335182/}, and others may view them as evil.

Understanding these three traits can help us better understand this personality type. 

Narcissism: This trait is marked by an inflated sense of self-importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. Narcissists often have a deep underlying insecurity that motivates behavior to make themself the center of attention.  

Machiavellianism: Named after Niccolò Machiavelli, who wrote The Prince, this trait embodies someone who is a master manipulator and uses people strategically to get what they want. Think of someone who looks at others as chess pieces to move around to get what they want. This Quora response from a “mach” describes the mindset extremely clearly.

Psychopathy: A psychopath is a mental disorder that causes someone to lack empathy. They can harm others (and may want to) and feel no remorse. Psychopaths tend to have superficial charm and charisma, but they are manipulative and deceitful.

Any one of these negative personality traits can make someone difficult to deal with and potentially dangerous. But someone who possesses all three? That is the Dark Triad.

While it’s impossible to diagnose someone from afar, a few movie personalities who might possess the dark triad are:

• Hannibal Lecter from Silence of the Lambs
• Patrick Bateman from American Psycho
• Anton Chigurh from No Country for Old Men

The 12 Official Traits of the Dark Triad Personality

Psychologists created a 12-item rating scale^{2https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/227057/The_Dirty_Dozen_A_Concise_Measure_of_the_Dark_Triad.pdf} called the “Dirty Dozen” to check if someone has the Dark Triad of personality.

This test is made for someone to self-diagnose if they have Dark Triad personality characteristics.

Such a person will tend to relate to the following prompts:

• I tend to manipulate others to get my way.
• I have used deceit or lied to get my way.
• I have used flattery to get my way.
• I tend to exploit others towards my own end.
• I tend to lack remorse.
• I tend to not be too concerned with morality or the morality of my actions.
• I tend to be callous or insensitive.
• I tend to be cynical.
• I tend to want others to admire me.
• I tend to want others to pay attention to me.
• I tend to seek prestige or status.
• I tend to expect special favors from others.

How to Spot a Dark Triad Personality

A Dark Triad personality sees the world differently and tends to take certain actions. While we can’t tell how different individuals see the world, we can look at their behaviors to determine whether someone is a Dark Triad personality.

Below are some common Dark Triad personality traits. Keep in mind having some of these traits does not automatically mean someone has a dark triad personality:

• Strategic Manipulation:  Look for cunning strategies to influence or control others for their benefit.
• No Empathy: Does this person struggle to relate to others’ feelings? Do they show emotional coldness and come off as uncaring? 
• Attention Seeking: Do they constantly promote themself, dominate conversations, or make themselves the center of attention?
• Rash Decision-making: Notice tendencies for spontaneous actions without considering the consequences. They may take significant risks and seem to live “on the edge.”
• Consistent Dishonesty: Do they lie often, seemingly for the fun of it? Sometimes in over-the-top ways? 
• Lack of Remorse: After causing harm to a person or animal (on accident or purpose), a Dark Triad personality will be unphased and show no guilt.
• Social Aggressiveness: Does this person bully others or put others down?
• Shallow Interpersonal Bonds: Does this person not seem to have anyone in their life who is indeed close to them?
• Highly Charismatic: A Dark Triad individual may appear likable and charming initially.
• Evading Responsibility: A Dark Triad will tend to blame other people and never take responsibility for their mistakes or when they cause harm. 
• Above the Rules: Look for a sense of grandiosity, self-promotion, and a belief that societal rules and norms don’t apply to them. They likely also trample others’ boundaries. 

How to Deal With a Dark Triad in Your Life

Navigating relationships with individuals who exhibit Dark Triad traits is undoubtedly difficult. 

But if you have to deal with a Dark Triad person in your life, keep these tips in mind.

Disclose Nothing

A Dark Triad individual thrives on manipulation.

Don’t be vulnerable with them. Don’t share personal information. Could you not give them any ammunition?

For example, if there’s a dark triad in your workplace, and they ask how you’re doing, it may be best to dodge telling them about your painful divorce. Sharing such information could give them “ammunition” to manipulate or undermine you, perhaps by spreading rumors or using this knowledge to put you in emotionally compromising situations at work.  

Keeping your cards close to your chest reduces the risk of being emotionally manipulated or hurt. 

Go Gray Rock

Going “gray rock” is a tip that Dr. Ramani Durvasula suggests individuals employ against narcissists.

This is taking the “Disclose Nothing” tip to the next level.

It essentially means you become a boring, non-reactive, non-emotional lump.

Narcissists (and Dark Triad folks) thrive off the power of getting a rise out of people. If they can get you to react, you become a toy to play with.

So give them nothing. If you are flat and emotionless, they’ll eventually get bored of you and move on.

Pro Tip: If a dark triad asks you personal or invasive questions, try to give a shallow answer. If nothing comes to mind, you can always say, “I don’t know.”

Hold Your Boundaries

Establishing and maintaining clear boundaries is crucial. 

Be firm about your limits and communicate them. 

Leave when you need to leave. Don’t engage in gossip if you don’t want to. 

This helps keep you empowered and protects your emotional well-being.

You might appreciate this article if you’d like more support on beefing up your boundaries.

Keep Interactions Professional

When interacting with individuals displaying Dark Triad traits (especially in the workplace), keeping the interaction strictly professional is vital. 

Focus solely on work-related topics, objectives, and facts. If they try to bring it to the personal, keep circling back to work topics. 

This approach minimizes the risk of emotional manipulation.

Action Step: Before any interaction, prepare a clear agenda or list of strictly work-related topics. Stick to this agenda during your communication.

Document Interactions

Documenting interactions with a Dark Triad can provide a factual record of what was said and agreed upon. This is especially helpful at work.

It can also keep you sane if the dark triad tries gaslighting techniques on you and can help you keep track of where your words or actions might be twisted or misrepresented.

Action Step: After each interaction, summarize what was discussed, including dates and times. Use emails or other written forms of communication for a clear, trackable record.

Seek Support

Dealing with Dark Triad personalities can be challenging and emotionally taxing. 

If relating with this person is starting to wear on you, consider finding support from friends, colleagues, supervisors, or mental health professionals.

Action Step: Identify a trusted colleague, friend, or therapist to discuss your experiences and feelings.  

Also, if you work in a toxic workplace and could use support in dealing with difficult people at work, you might be interested in this free training:

Is the Dark Triad Genetic or Developed?

Is the Dark Triad nature or nurture?

Researchers^{3https://www.researchgate.net/publication/223412344_A_behavioral_genetic_investigation_of_the_Dark_Triad_and_the_Big_Five} who studied hundreds of twins found the following:

• Psychopathy is caused by both genetics and unshared environment (“unshared environment” refers to environmental factors that are different for each twin—like their friend group or personal hobbies).
• Both genetics and an unshared environment cause Narcissism.
• Machiavellianism is caused by genetics and unshared environment and was the only trait also caused by shared environment (“shared environment” refers to environmental factors that impacted both twins. Like their family structure and household).

This means that while genetics do play a role, so do one’s life experiences.

Life experience factors^{4https://practicalpie.com/beth-thomas/} that could contribute to someone developing a Dark Triad personality might include:

• Caretakers who neglect the child’s hunger or hygiene for hours on end
• Surviving sexual abuse
• A child bouncing between homes or foster housing
• Abusive dynamics between family members
• Falling into a gang or highly manipulative peer groups
• A lack of any positive role models

Studies^{5https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191886922003944#:~:text=The%20Dark%20Triad%20traits%20are,narcissism%2C%20Machiavellianism%2C%20and%20psychopathy.} also found that males tend to exhibit dark triad traits far more than females.

Is There a “Cure” for the Dark Triad?

Because such dark personality traits come from an environmental component, a Dark Triad individual can develop socially positive behavior, but generally only if noticed at a young age. 

HBO released a documentary in 1990 called Child of Rage.

(Trigger warning below: the documentary is very dark, so if you are sensitive, please skip this section!)

It was about a 6-year-old girl who displayed psychopathic solid symptoms. 

She was severely traumatized at the age of 1 and then adopted by new parents. She killed animals and talked about wanting to kill her brother and her parents. However, through intense therapy and interventions^{4https://practicalpie.com/beth-thomas/}, she was able to reclaim her humanity, and eventually became a nurse and wrote several books about her turnaround.

Another study^{6https://modlab.yale.edu/news/can-psychopaths-be-cured} worked with juvenile youths displaying psychopathic tendencies. This test rewarded the youths for even the smallest positive behaviors and upped the rewards for more positive behaviors. Of the psychopathic juveniles who did not receive this treatment, 98% got arrested again within four years, while only 64% of the participants who received the treatment were arrested within four years. This suggests that psychotic behavior can, at the very least, be managed.

Psychologists^{6https://modlab.yale.edu/news/can-psychopaths-be-cured} tend to believe that psychopathy (one of the Dark Triad traits) cannot be “cured” in adulthood but only managed.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Dark Triad

Takeaways About the Dark Triad

Is there someone in your life who has a Dark Triad personality? Remember, such a person is:

• Machiavellian
• Psychopathic
• Narcissistic

You can spot such a person if they display the following:

• Superficial charm
• Manipulation
• Never show empathy
• Attention-seeking
• Impulsiveness
• Bullying others
• A lack of any close friends
• Never taking responsibility
• Feeling like rules and boundaries don’t apply to them

And if there is a Dark Triad individual in your life who you must engage with, just keep these tips in mind:

• Disclose Nothing: A Dark Triad individual thrives on manipulation, so it’s important not to be vulnerable with them by not sharing personal information or giving them any ammunition.
• Go Gray Rock: Becoming uninteresting, non-reactive, and non-emotional, denying them the desired reaction.
• Hold Your Boundaries: Establishing and maintaining clear boundaries is crucial, as is communicating your limits firmly and leaving situations or refusing to engage in unwanted behaviors to protect your emotional well-being.

If there is a narcissist in your life, and it hurts your well-being, you might appreciate this comprehensive article on how to deal with a narcissist.