Dark triad

The study of personality traits represented in the dark triad took place in isolation from each other. The term “Machiavellianism” dates back to the 16th century, while “narcissism” and “psychopathy” have been known since the 19th century ^{[12] [13]} .

In 1998, McHoskey, Vorzel, and Sjarto stated ^[14] that narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy are more or less interchangeable in the case of normal samples, which caused controversy. and McHoskey discussed this issue at a subsequent conference of the American Psychological Association ( APA ), thereby inspiring further research on this issue. Paulhus and Williams found enough behavioral, personality and cognitive differences between these traits, suggesting that they are different constructs; but, among other things, it was revealed that further studies are needed to clarify the moments when they overlap each other ^[15] .

Subclinical manifestations against disorders

The two features of the dark triad, narcissism and psychopathy, are traditionally combined in the framework of personality disorder. Narcissism was considered in the writings of Sigmund Freud , psychopathy as a clinical diagnosis was first mentioned in the early writings of , in particular, in the “ ” ^[16] . Given the spatial model of narcissism and psychopathy, supplemented by self-reporting assessments that are suitable for assessing the general population, these features can be studied at a subclinical level ^[17] .

As for empirical research, psychopathy was not scientifically studied until the 1970s, until the groundbreaking study of appeared in the form of a “ ” ( PSL ) and their revision ( PSL-R ) ^{[ 18]} . Hare notes in his book “ Without Conscience ” ^[19] that interviewing psychopaths for self-reporting on psychologically important issues does not provide accurate and objective data. Nevertheless, efforts were made to study psychopathy using their own precise tools, such as the Levenson questionnaire (primary and secondary scales) ^[20] , a description of the psychopathic personality ^[21] , and a personal self-reporting scale ^[22] .

An assessment of narcissism required clinical interviews until the Raskin-Hall was created in 1979 ^[23] . After this questionnaire, other measures appeared to provide alternatives to self-reporting for assessing personality disorder ^[24] . In addition, new tools have been developed to study “ pathological ” narcissism ^[25] , in contrast to pompous narcissism, which, according to many, is identified using the above questionnaire ^{[26] [27]} .

Machiavellianism is never mentioned in a particular version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders . This feature is considered as a strictly personal construction. Thus, the original version of the Mac-4 scale ^[28] is still the most widely used in empirical studies ^[29] .

Each of the components of the Dark Triad to one degree or another contributes to such features as , neglect of generally accepted norms of behavior, , egocentrism , selfishness , insensitivity to the problems of others, hostility, absence empathy , emotional coldness, as well as a tendency to deceive , manipulate and use others. The carriers of the Dark Triad are ready to lie if it helps to achieve the goal or brings benefits ^[30] .

All the features included in the Dark Triad are positively and at the same level of significance related to the orientation towards social dominance in relation to social minorities , to the perception of immigrants as a threat to intragroup integrity and to prejudices regarding immigrants; most studies find negative connections with indicators of emotional intelligence and with such a factor of the Big Five as “ ”. All the features of the Dark Triad contribute to the deviant behavior of adolescents, the bearers of all the features of the Dark Triad resort to manipulative strategies and deception in interpersonal relationships , in particular, when communicating with partners of the opposite sex ^[30] .

As a disorder

In general, doctors consider these traits as pathological , that they need treatment and, in essence, are undesirable, since, for example, they are condemned in society or personally counterproductive. However, there is another assertion that adaptive properties are accompanied by maladaptive ones. From an evolutionary point of view, the dark triad represents various mating strategies. The frequency of their appearance in the gene pool requires at least some adaptation to local conditions.

The usual versions of these traits are manifested in samples among students and society as a whole, where high levels can be observed in individuals in everyday life. Even in these examples, studies show a high dependence of these traits on aggression ^[31] , racism ^[32] and bullying ^[33] compared to other forms of social aversivity.

In the workplace

determines that each of the three dark triadic personality traits is common in the workplace ^[34] . Machiavellianism is manifested in the form of retaining power, tactics of tight control, manipulative behavior. Narcissism is defined as a tendency toward counterproductive labor behavior, especially when self-esteem is at risk. Workplace psychopathy is characterized by aggression, conflict, stress, absenteeism, decreased productivity and responsibility.

Internet trolling

Recent studies have shown that people who fall under the definition of “ trolls, ” as a rule, have dark personality traits, show signs of sadism , antisocial behavior, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism ^{[35] [36]} . A similarity line is drawn between antisocial activity and the trolling flame , Internet trolling is a peculiar manifestation of everyday sadism ^[37] . Both studies showed that trolling associated with bullying is characteristic of both adolescents and adults.

How to marry

There is an assumption that the features of the dark triad indicate a predisposition of people to short-term benefits and long-term connections in obtaining benefits and benefits. Although in a developed society, promoting long-term prospects is developing (environmental protection, saving money for retirement), there are reproductive advantages for personal thoughts and short-term actions. In addition, men with such traits appear to be more sexually attractive among women ^{[38] [39]} . In accordance with this point of view, studies show that, on average, those who have the features of a dark triad have: an accelerated marriage strategy , manifested in a larger number of sexual partners; more favorable attitudes towards casual sex ^[38] ; lowered standards for its short-term partners ^[40] ; the tendency to lure and withdraw partners from others ^[41] ; increased risk of substance abuse ^[42] ; the tendency to prefer an immediate but smaller amount of money than with a delay, but a larger amount ^[43] ; limited self-control and more cases of ADHD ^[44] ; pragmatic and playful style of love ^[45] . These traits were defined as part of a quick life strategy that seems to be taken as an exploitative, opportunistic and multifaceted approach to life in general ^[46] and at work ^[47] . There is conflicting evidence about the exact relationship between the dark triad and reproductive success. For example, there is insufficient evidence for reproductive success in the event of psychopathy ^[10] . In addition, these traits are not universally short-term oriented ^[44] , and they are not all impulsive ^[48] . In addition, most of the studies that relate to the dark triad , cited in the Study History section, are based on statistical procedures that perceive the dark triad as a separate construct, despite genetic ^[49] and meta-analytical evidence to the contrary ^[50] .

Dark Notebook

The dark tetrad expands the dark triad , adding everyday sadism to it ^{[51] [35]} . Research on this topic is growing rapidly ^[52] .

Vulnerable Dark Triad

The Vulnerable Dark Triad ( VDT ) includes three interconnected and similar constructs: vulnerable narcissism, psychopathic factor 2, and borderline personality disorder , which, as the study shows, are closely related to each other and exhibit similar nomological networks. Although traits of VDT are related to negative emotionality and antagonistic interpersonal style, they are also closely associated with introversion and depression ^[53] .

• Evolutionary psychology
• MacDonald Triad
• Theory of r / K-selection

• Егорова, М. С. Тёмная триада / М. С. Егорова, М. А. Ситникова // Психологические исследования . — 2014. — Т. 7, № 10.