The Dark Triad

The Dark triad (or the dark triad of personalities) is a group of personality traits which people would generally define as undesirable. It is called a “dark triad” because it consists of three main personality deficiencies: narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy.

Studies Into The Dark Triad

In recent psychology much interest has formed around the dark triad and its status in human societies. More specifically in the area of female attraction to the “bad boy” figure, what we now refer to as the dark triad of personalities. Peter Jonason of New Mexico State University along with some of his colleagues subjected 200 collage students to a personality test to determine the presence of the dark triad personality traits in their subconscious actions.

Jonason’s Test

Included in the test were questions pertaining to their own perspective on their personality, their feelings toward the opposite sex and sexual promiscuity. The study found that those who scored higher in the dark triad personality traits tended to have more sexual partners and less of a desire for long term relationships.

The Shotgun Approach

Jonason’s studies also showed that those who seem to have dark triad personality traits subscribe to something called the shotgun approach or shotgun procreation. This is a process, in biological terms, by which a male reproduces with multiple females to maximize the spreading of genes and the passing of genetic characteristics. This can often be associated with sexual addiction or nymphomania.

References

1. The Rational Fool: The Dark Triad

2. What's Wrong With The World: The Dark Triad

3. The dark triad and normal personality traits

4. Paulthus personality lab: The Dark Triad