Personalities and relationships
The Dark Triad of Personality Disorders
When they manifest in one person… well, uh oh
‘The Dark Triad’ is the term assigned when three personality disorders manifest in one person. They are narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. They are different but have underlying traits in common.
Having someone in your family, or trying to maintain a relationship with a person who exhibits traits of the dark triad, is challenging to say the least. Dealing with just one of these types is difficult enough, but when the three are present, it may mean you have to make a choice between keeping that person in your life and your own mental well-being.
The 12-point Markers of the Dark Triad
Psychologists Peter Jonason and Gregory Webster (2010) put together what they term ‘the dirty dozen checkpoints’ that indicate the presence of the dark triad. They manifest in the following ways, as the person:
- Manipulates others to get their way.
- Lacks remorse.
- Wants others to admire them.
- Unconcerned with the morality of their actions.
- Uses deceit or lies to get their way.
