Cited by 711Personality Traits and PsychologyPsychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual OffendingPersonality Disorders and Psychopathology

Toward a taxonomy of dark personalities

Paulhus, Delroy L.·2014·Current Directions in Psychological Science

Abstract

The term dark personalities refers to a set of socially aversive traits in the subclinical range. Not extreme enough to invite clinical or forensic attention, they can get along (even flourish) in everyday work settings, scholastic settings, and the broader community. Along with my research group, I have studied a constellation of these personalities—Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, and everyday sadism—under the label “Dark Tetrad.” We have argued that, because of their overlap, these four traits should be studied in concert. Recently developed inventories now facilitate identification of the unique contributions of each trait. The present review highlights key advances and controversies emerging from work on these malevolent, yet fascinating, characters.

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Crossref · 10.1177/0963721414547737

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Authors
Paulhus, D. L.
Affiliations
University of British Columbia (CA)
Corresponding author
Paulhus, Delroy L.
Venue
Current Directions in Psychological Science
Published
2014-12
Volume
23
Issue
6
Pages
421-426
ISSN
  • 0963-7214 (ISSN-L)
  • 1467-8721
OpenAlex
W2129913289
Cited by
711
References
43
Citations by year
2026: 49 · 2025: 78 · 2024: 86 · 2023: 101 · 2022: 78 · 2021: 73 · 2020: 70 · 2019: 46 · 2018: 39 · 2017: 47 · 2016: 35 · 2015: 8 · 2013: 1
FWCI
35.39
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Current Directions in Psychological Science (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Disorders and Psychopathology
Keywords
dark personality traits, Dark Tetrad, Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, everyday sadism, personality tests

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