Dark Triad Test - Machiavellianism, Narcissism, Psychopathy

The Short Dark Triad questionnaire (SD3) is designed to diagnose three dark personality traits: narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. The test aims to measure narcissism and psychopathy in their non-clinical form, meaning not in the context of mental disorders.

All three components of the Dark Triad are interconnected, rooted in a disregard for the interests of others. Different manifestations of narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy are perceived negatively by those around, which is why the term "Dark Triad" was coined to describe this combination of traits.

• Narcissism is associated with self-centeredness, arrogance, sensitivity to criticism, inability to empathize or share the feelings of others.
• Machiavellianism (named after Niccolò Machiavelli) involves a tendency to manipulate others for personal gain, calculated deception to achieve one's goals, cynicism, and disregard for moral norms.
• Psychopathy is linked to ease in breaking social norms, impulsivity, risk-taking tendencies, selfish behavior, and a callous, cold demeanor towards others.

While the pronounced traits of the Dark Triad repel those around, they might bring personal benefits to the individual who possesses them. Such traits enable a person to relentlessly pursue their interests, disregarding others, and use manipulation and deceit without remorse to advance their career or find a "convenient" romantic/sexual partner. High positions in career hierarchies are often accompanied by high scores in the Dark Triad traits.

The test results depict a profile of the Dark Triad traits, providing an assessment of the prominence of each component: narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy.