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The Dark Triad
Machiavellianism
Items on SD3
1. It’s not wise to tell your secrets.
2. I like to use clever manipulation to get my way.
3. Whatever it takes, you must get the important people on your side.
4. Avoid direct conflict with others because they may be useful in the future.
5. It’s wise to keep track of information that you can use against people later.
6. You should wait for the right time to get back at people.
7. There are things you should hide from other people to preserve your reputation.
8. Make sure your plans benefit yourself, not others.
9. Most people can be manipulated.
Narcissism
Items on SD3
1. People see me as a natural leader.
2. I hate being the center of attention. (R)
3. Many group activities tend to be dull without me.
4. I know that I am special because everyone keeps telling me so.
5. I like to get acquainted with important people.
6. I feel embarrassed if someone compliments me. (R)
7. I have been compared to famous people.
8. I am an average person. (R)
9. I insist on getting the respect I deserve.
Psychopathy
Items on SD3
1. I like to get revenge on authorities.
2. I avoid dangerous situations. (R)
3. Payback needs to be quick and nasty.
4. People often say I’m out of control.
5. It’s true that I can be mean to others.
6. People who mess with me always regret it.
7. I have never gotten into trouble with the law. (R)
8. I enjoy having sex with people I hardly know
9. I’ll say anything to get what I want.
Created by Jones and Paulhus in 2013
Created in conjunction with Paulhus and Williams’ 2002 work which changed the research direction away from studying the traits individually
Previous measures
Commonly presented as an online survey, asking for demographic information and then presenting the 27 items, randomised and with reverse scoring items
During the initial testing the survey, then 41 items, was made available online with $50 compensation for completion.
During re-testing, the current 27 item version was used, again online and with $50 compensation for completion.
A 5 point Likert scale is used.
Typically appears in the form:
Strongly disagree (1), Disagree (2), Neutral (3), Agree (4), Strongly Agree (5)
Scores are then calculated, following reverse scoring, and presented as an average score for each trait.
Scores may also be presented as a percentile, as is a common online format.
Heath implications of living with individuals with high Dark Triad traits
The Dark Triad and financial behavior
Managing the Dark Triad in the workplace
Paulhus, D. L., & Jones, D. N. (2015). Measures of dark personalities. In Measures of personality and social psychological constructs (pp. 562-594).
Malesza, M., Ostaszewski, P., Büchner, S., & Kaczmarek, M. C. (2017). The Adaptation of the Short Dark Triad Personality Measure–Psychometric Properties of a German Sample. Current Psychology, 1-10.
Pechorro, P., Caramelo, V., Oliveira, J. P., Nunes, C., Curtis, S. R., & Jones, D. N. (2018). The Short Dark Triad (SD3): Adaptation and Psychometrics among At-Risk Male and Female Youths. Deviant Behavior, 1-14.