THE DARK TRIAD

THE DARK TRIADRachel 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)

Machiavellianism

Narcissism Psychopathy

A Visual

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 self-interest 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 anti-social 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