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.

A man in a suit stares menacingly ahead with his fingers laced together.

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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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You\u2019re probably a total sweetheart. Your friends and loved ones know they can count on you for whatever they need, and you\u2019re proud to be such a caring and trustworthy force in the lives of others. In short, you have a lot to be proud of. Looking at your results, it looks like you treat others with respect, you have tons of empathy, and you try hard to be the best person you can be. You\u2019re about as far from the dark triad as you could be!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Dark-Psychology"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Dark-Empath"}],"link_data":[{"title":"What is Dark Psychology?","id":14176183,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Dark-Psychology","image":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/Dark-Psychology-Step-13.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Dark-Psychology-Step-13.jpg","alt":"What is Dark Psychology?"},{"title":"A Guide to Dark Empaths and How to Deal With Them","id":13880753,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Dark-Empath","image":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9b\/Dark-Empath-Step-14.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Dark-Empath-Step-14.jpg","alt":"A Guide to Dark Empaths and How to Deal With Them"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You\u2019re totally normal!","meaning":"Every person has positive (and less-than-positive) aspects of their personality\u2014that\u2019s just what it means to be human! Based on your answers, it sounds like you have some very, very small connections to the dark triad. Contrary to popular belief, that makes you totally and completely normal!

Looking at your results, it looks like you might indulge the occasional desire to be the center of attention (AKA, your top dark triad triat is narcissism). But your levels put you in a totally normal range.

Given your results, we bet that you\u2019re super funny, charming, and you know how to make heads turn. Sure, you might enjoy being in the spotlight, but who can blame you? Your pals can count on you to keep the conversation going and bring the wildest and craziest stories to the table.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Dark-Psychology"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Dark-Empath"}],"link_data":[{"title":"What is Dark Psychology?","id":14176183,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Dark-Psychology","image":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/Dark-Psychology-Step-13.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Dark-Psychology-Step-13.jpg","alt":"What is Dark Psychology?"},{"title":"A Guide to Dark Empaths and How to Deal With Them","id":13880753,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Dark-Empath","image":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9b\/Dark-Empath-Step-14.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Dark-Empath-Step-14.jpg","alt":"A Guide to Dark Empaths and How to Deal With Them"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You\u2019re totally normal!","meaning":"Every person has positive (and less-than-positive) aspects of their personality\u2014that\u2019s just what it means to be human! Based on your answers, it sounds like you have some very, very small connections to the dark triad. Contrary to popular belief, that makes you totally and completely normal!

Looking at your results, it looks like you might indulge the occasional desire to control experiences and relationships in your life (AKA, your top dark triad triat is Machiavellianism). But your levels put you in a totally normal range.

We bet that you\u2019re a planner\u2014you probably love to be on top of whatever\u2019s going on around you. And with good reason! You have great instincts, and know that your plans and ideas will almost certainly be successful. You might go a little<\/i> too far to get others to follow your lead, but that\u2019s only because you care!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Dark-Psychology"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Dark-Empath"}],"link_data":[{"title":"What is Dark Psychology?","id":14176183,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Dark-Psychology","image":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/Dark-Psychology-Step-13.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Dark-Psychology-Step-13.jpg","alt":"What is Dark Psychology?"},{"title":"A Guide to Dark Empaths and How to Deal With Them","id":13880753,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Dark-Empath","image":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9b\/Dark-Empath-Step-14.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Dark-Empath-Step-14.jpg","alt":"A Guide to Dark Empaths and How to Deal With Them"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You\u2019re totally normal!","meaning":"Every person has positive (and less-than-positive) aspects of their personality\u2014that\u2019s just what it means to be human! Based on your answers, it sounds like you have some very, very small connections to the dark triad. Contrary to popular belief, that makes you totally and completely normal!

We bet that you\u2019re a big thinker who gets stuck inside your head sometimes\u2014and there\u2019s absolutely nothing wrong with that! You\u2019re so in tune with your own thoughts and feelings that you sometimes forget to be in tune with your friends and loved ones. At heart, you\u2019re still a super caring and trustworthy friend who would do anything for the people in their life, and that\u2019s what matters most!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Dark-Psychology"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Dark-Empath"}],"link_data":[{"title":"What is Dark Psychology?","id":14176183,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Dark-Psychology","image":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/Dark-Psychology-Step-13.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Dark-Psychology-Step-13.jpg","alt":"What is Dark Psychology?"},{"title":"A Guide to Dark Empaths and How to Deal With Them","id":13880753,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Dark-Empath","image":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9b\/Dark-Empath-Step-14.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Dark-Empath-Step-14.jpg","alt":"A Guide to Dark Empaths and How to Deal With Them"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You seem to have strong dark triad traits.","meaning":"Based on your answers, you may have some strong habits and tendencies that are related to the dark triad personality traits. Whether this result was what you were expecting or not, what matters most is that you\u2019re taking the initiative to be on top of your mental health and well-being, which is something to be super proud of.

It sounds like you say \u201cyes\u201d to your dark thoughts and tendencies a little more than the average person. Of course, every person on the planet has given into their less-than-charitable desires at one point or another, so plenty of people are in the same boat as you. Think of this quiz result as a friendly reminder to self-reflect<\/a> and make sure that you\u2019re being the best friend you can possibly be to all the pals in your life.

What should I do next?<\/b>
That\u2019s totally up to you! At the end of the day, this is just a quiz\u2014it isn\u2019t an official mental health diagnosis, and it definitely shouldn\u2019t be treated like one. Still, there\u2019s absolutely nothing wrong with taking a closer look at your mental health and well-being by meeting with a licensed mental health professional.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Dark-Psychology"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Dark-Empath"}],"link_data":[{"title":"What is Dark Psychology?","id":14176183,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Dark-Psychology","image":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/Dark-Psychology-Step-13.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Dark-Psychology-Step-13.jpg","alt":"What is Dark Psychology?"},{"title":"A Guide to Dark Empaths and How to Deal With Them","id":13880753,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Dark-Empath","image":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9b\/Dark-Empath-Step-14.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Dark-Empath-Step-14.jpg","alt":"A Guide to Dark Empaths and How to Deal With Them"}],"minimum":0}]" class="quiz_results_data"/>\"Thalassophobia<\/picture>","alt":"Do I Have Thalassophobia (Fear Of The Ocean)"},{"title":"Am I a Bad Person Quiz","id":14285243,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Am-I-a-Bad-Person","image":"\"Am<\/picture>","alt":"Am I a Bad Person Quiz"},{"title":"Religious Values Test","id":14250296,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Religious-Values-Test","image":"\"Religious<\/picture>","alt":"Religious Values Test"}],"number":1},{"text":"I'll pass. Only light and fun quizzes for me, please!","result":"We hear you! Do any of these quizzes look appealing?","next_quizzes":[{"title":"What Human Emotion Am I Quiz","id":13428156,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/What-Human-Emotion-Am-I-Quiz","image":"\"What<\/picture>","alt":"What Human Emotion Am I Quiz"},{"title":"What's My Bending Element Quiz","id":14277767,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Avatar-the-Last-Airbender-Quiz","image":"\"Avatar<\/picture>","alt":"What's My Bending Element Quiz"},{"title":"What Demon Slayer Character Am I Quiz","id":14291313,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/What-Demon-Slayer-Character-Are-You-Quiz","image":"\"What<\/picture>","alt":"What Demon Slayer Character Am I Quiz"}],"number":2}]}" class="quiz_questionnaire_data"/>

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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