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The Dark Triad of Personality traits

tytlyf

Not Religious
Found this interesting when it comes to psychological attributes. Remind you of anyone?

What is the Dark Triad?
The Dark Triad refers to three negative personality traits that are different, yet related. These are Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and Psychopathy. Having them makes a person difficult to manage.
1. Narcissism
First of all is Narcissism. This term came about because of the Greek myth of Narcissus, a young man who fell in love with his reflection after looking at himself in a pond of water. He became so engrossed in it that he fell into the water and drowned.
Consequently, narcissism has become synonymous with unhealthy self-love. Narcissists are prideful, lack empathy for others and have a low tolerance for criticism. Narcissists have no qualms about manipulating others for their gain. They also put others down. What is noteworthy is that people are narcissistic to different degrees.

2. Machiavellianism
16th-century Italian diplomat, Niccolo Machiavelli gets the credit for the term ‘Machiavellianism.’ It came about because critics felt that his book ‘The Prince,’ condoned cunning, deceit, and self-interest. The book said that these qualities were necessary for political gain.
Therefore, people with such traits take lying to new heights. They have no morals or feelings for others.

3. Psychopathy
Those with psychopathic traits have no feelings for others. Because they have no remorse, they show anti-social behaviors. Many of them are explosive and controlling.
Note that having these qualities does not make a person a psychopath. Psychopaths are criminals. Though those with psychopathic qualities are unpredictable, they are not necessarily criminals.
How Would You Know That Someone Has the Dark Triad?
The first step to coping with someone who has the Dark Triad is to recognize its signs. Because they are complex, psychologists are still trying to understand them.
They used to measure each quality separately, but there is now an easier way to spot them. The Dirty Dozen Scale, created by psychology professors Dr. Peter Jonason and Gregory Webster, shows if a person has the Dark Triad.
  1. I manipulate others.
  2. I lie to others.
  3. I flatter others.
  4. I use others for my gain.
  5. I lack remorse.
  6. I am not concerned about the morality of my actions.
  7. I am mean and insensitive.
  8. I am a cynical person.
  9. I need the admiration of others.
  10. I crave attention.
  11. I want favors from others.
  12. I seek status and prestige.
What Are the Dark Triad Traits and How to Spot Them in Someone You Know
 

It Aint Necessarily So

Veteran Member
Premium Member
When I read something like this and think of "love thy enemy," I ask why. Why would anybody even get close to such a person, much less love them? I've known people like this, and they are simply bad news.
 

Revoltingest

Pragmatic Libertarian
Premium Member
It's been decades since I read The Prince.
But I think this....
2. Machiavellianism
16th-century Italian diplomat, Niccolo Machiavelli gets the credit for the term ‘Machiavellianism.’ It came about because critics felt that his book ‘The Prince,’ condoned cunning, deceit, and self-interest. The book said that these qualities were necessary for political gain.

Therefore, people with such traits take lying to new heights. They have no morals or feelings for others.
....misrepresents Machiavelli's intent.
Instead, it was about skill in governance.
This could be used for right or wrong.

We've recently seen the problems of artless leaders.
You want more of the same?
 

Rival

Si m'ait Dieus
Staff member
Premium Member
When I read something like this and think of "love thy enemy," I ask why. Why would anybody even get close to such a person, much less love them? I've known people like this, and they are simply bad news.
I would like to stop you here -- it's thine. Thine before a vowel and unaspirated h. Same as an before a vowel.

And because some bonds are stronger than reason can break. My mother has these traits and is diagnosed with ASPD, but blood is thicker. It's hard to grasp until you've been there. Friends with it? Night night.
 

The Reverend Bob

Fart Machine and Beastmaster
  1. I manipulate others. Normal
  2. I lie to others. Normal
  3. I flatter others. Normal
  4. I use others for my gain. Normal
  5. I lack remorse. Not Normal
  6. I am not concerned about the morality of my actions. Not Normal
  7. I am mean and insensitive. Sometimes
  8. I am a cynical person. Sometimes
  9. I need the admiration of others. Normal
  10. I crave attention. At times
  11. I want favors from others. Of course I do!
  12. I seek status and prestige. Who doesn't?
Most of these behaviors are pretty normal. At least for me.
 

Stanyon

WWMRD?
Why are these considered "dark" traits? Is "dark" equated with bad? Is the author of this article a racist?
 

Rival

Si m'ait Dieus
Staff member
Premium Member
@The Reverend Bob

Let me help you...

  1. I manipulate others. - My mother manipulated male partners to give her money and even a house. She manipulated me to believe her/our whole family is evil and never let me see them. This is not normal.
  2. I lie to others. - My mother kicked me out and lied to others telling them I had moved to London. She also told them that she was abused and neglected by her whole family, which is not true and the family is split to this day. Not normal.
  3. I flatter others. My mother flattered others to get things from them. Money, holidays, clothes, you name it. It's a show, a display designed to manipulate. It's bad because it's fake.
  4. I use others for my gain. My mother kept the birthday cards my family sent and took the money in them for herself. Not normal.
  5. I lack remorse. Not Normal
  6. I am not concerned about the morality of my actions. Not Normal
  7. I am mean and insensitive. My mother called me a slacker and all sorts in front of my friends to put me down. Not normal, ever.
  8. I am a cynical person. Sometimes
  9. I need the admiration of others. Normal
  10. I crave attention. All attention is on her. Always her. Cannot have a conversation if she's not somehow involved.
  11. I want favors from others. For nothing in return and no thanks. All the time. It's how she lives her life.
  12. I seek status and prestige. To show others how much better you are than them and make them feel like ****. Not normal.
 

The Reverend Bob

Fart Machine and Beastmaster
@The Reverend Bob

Let me help you...

  1. I manipulate others. - My mother manipulated male partners to give her money and even a house. She manipulated me to believe her/our whole family is evil and never let me see them. This is not normal.
  2. I lie to others. - My mother kicked me out and lied to others telling them I had moved to London. She also told them that she was abused and neglected by her whole family, which is not true and the family is split to this day. Not normal.
  3. I flatter others. My mother flattered others to get things from them. Money, holidays, clothes, you name it. It's a show, a display designed to manipulate. It's bad because it's fake.
  4. I use others for my gain. My mother kept the birthday cards my family sent and took the money in them for herself. Not normal.
  5. I lack remorse. Not Normal
  6. I am not concerned about the morality of my actions. Not Normal
  7. I am mean and insensitive. My mother called me a slacker and all sorts in front of my friends to put me down. Not normal, ever.
  8. I am a cynical person. Sometimes
  9. I need the admiration of others. Normal
  10. I crave attention. All attention is on her. Always her. Cannot have a conversation if she's not somehow involved.
  11. I want favors from others. For nothing in return and no thanks. All the time. It's how she lives her life.
  12. I seek status and prestige. To show others how much better you are than them and make them feel like ****. Not normal.
My God.
 

It Aint Necessarily So

Veteran Member
Premium Member
When I read something like this and think of "love thy enemy," I ask why. Why would anybody even get close to such a person, much less love them? I've known people like this, and they are simply bad news.

Love them.... from a distance.

Perhaps we don't mean the same thing when we say love. And maybe we don't mean the same thing when we say enemy. An enemy is somebody that means harm to me or those I care about. Love is treating others as if they are part of the self, which includes looking out for their best interests. I'm not going to do that for an enemy. Call that loving them from a distance if you like, but I call it exclusion.

I would like to stop you here -- it's thine. Thine before a vowel and unaspirated h. Same as an before a vowel.

OK, thanks for that. I did a little investigating :

Thou and Thee, You and Ye
A Primer on Shakespearean Pronouns .
By Michael J. Cummings...© 2003

.......Modern English uses only four pronouns for addressing a person or persons: you, your, yourself, and yours. The English of Shakespeare’s time used ten pronouns: thou, thee, thy, thyself, thine, ye, you, your, yourself, and yours. The rules governing the use of these ten pronouns were both grammatical and cultural–that is, their application depended not only on syntax but also on the social status of the person or persons addressed. The following table shows at a glance second-person pronoun use under these rules, as well as Shakespeare's varying uses of you, your, yourself, and yours. In addition, the table includes an entry for ye as a definite article (or adjective) meaning the.

Thou

Case: Nominative. Example: Thou art my friend.
When Used: To address a person of inferior status, such as a child or servant; to address a friend; to impart a poetic ring when expressing profound thoughts or reciting a prayer.
Verb Endings: -t, -st, -est. Examples: Thou art, thou hast, thou wast, thou hadst.

Thee

Case: Objective. Example: I love thee. I give thee all my love.
When Used: To address a person of inferior status, such as a child or servant; to address a friend; to impart a poetic ring when expressing profound thoughts or reciting a prayer.
Verb Endings: Not affected.

Thy

Case: Possessive. Example: Here is thy sword.
When Used: To address a person of inferior status, such as a child or servant; to address a friend; to impart a poetic ring when expressing profound thoughts or reciting a prayer. Thy is not used before words beginning with a vowel or before words beginning with a silent h followed by a vowel. Instead, thine is used.
Verb Endings: Not affected.


Thine
Case: Possessive. Examples: This sword is thine. Where is thine enemy?
When Used: To show possession without a following noun or with a following noun beginning with a vowel or a silent h followed by a vowel.
Verb Endings: Not Affected.

Thyself

Case: Reflexive or intensive. Examples: Wash thyself. Thou thyself art a fool.
When Used: To address a person of inferior status, such as a child or servant; to address a friend; to impart a poetic ring when expressing profound thoughts or reciting a prayer.
Verb Endings: -t, -st, -est. Examples: Thou thyself art, thou thyself hadst.

Ye (Early Use)

Case: Nominative. Example. Ye are mighty lords.
When Used: To address several persons of exalted social position(s).
Verb Endings: Not affected.

Ye (Later Use)

Case: Nominative or objective. Examples: Ye are a fool. Ye are all fools. I'll strike ye down.
When Used: To address one or several persons of any social status.
Verb Endings: Not affected.

Ye as a Definite Article (Early Use)

Pronunciation: Same as the.
Part of Speech: Definite article; adjective.
Examples: Ye olde tavern (pronounced as the old tavern); Ye gods (pronounced as the gods).
When Used: To modify a noun in the same way as the definite article the. Y was a printer's character representing th.
Shakespeare generally did not use "ye" in this sense.
Verb Endings: Not affected.

And because some bonds are stronger than reason can break. My mother has these traits and is diagnosed with ASPD, but blood is thicker

Sorry about your troubles and your mother's. I'm not with you on the blood is thicker part, however. Every adult in my life has to earn a place there, including family.
 

dybmh

דניאל יוסף בן מאיר הירש
Reminds me of the recently created "Audie's
Law" -that anyone pointlessly bringing T into
a post is to be expelled (with extreme prejudice)
What's "T?"
It must be something beginning with "T"...a poster's moniker, perhaps.
Who here fits that, & brings in pointless....uh....nevermind.

I am not the best person to be speaking for Audie... but...

I think she is talking about Theism. And her objection is when it is Pointless.

But, it could be Thor? Just sayin :D:cool:
 

Erebus

Well-Known Member
@The Reverend Bob

Let me help you...

  1. I manipulate others. - My mother manipulated male partners to give her money and even a house. She manipulated me to believe her/our whole family is evil and never let me see them. This is not normal.
  2. I lie to others. - My mother kicked me out and lied to others telling them I had moved to London. She also told them that she was abused and neglected by her whole family, which is not true and the family is split to this day. Not normal.
  3. I flatter others. My mother flattered others to get things from them. Money, holidays, clothes, you name it. It's a show, a display designed to manipulate. It's bad because it's fake.
  4. I use others for my gain. My mother kept the birthday cards my family sent and took the money in them for herself. Not normal.
  5. I lack remorse. Not Normal
  6. I am not concerned about the morality of my actions. Not Normal
  7. I am mean and insensitive. My mother called me a slacker and all sorts in front of my friends to put me down. Not normal, ever.
  8. I am a cynical person. Sometimes
  9. I need the admiration of others. Normal
  10. I crave attention. All attention is on her. Always her. Cannot have a conversation if she's not somehow involved.
  11. I want favors from others. For nothing in return and no thanks. All the time. It's how she lives her life.
  12. I seek status and prestige. To show others how much better you are than them and make them feel like ****. Not normal.

Excellent breakdown of what these personality disorders entail there. I'm sorry that you had to go through this with a family member.

@The Reverend Bob If you look at the symptoms of just about any personality disorder or mental illness, you're very likely to find at least some of them seem to apply to you. Anybody could relate to wanting admiration for example but not everybody would have an explosive outburst if they didn't receive it.

The difference is often a matter of severity.
 

Revoltingest

Pragmatic Libertarian
Premium Member
I am not the best person to be speaking for Audie... but...

I think she is talking about Theism. And her objection is when it is Pointless.

But, it could be Thor? Just sayin :D:cool:
We might never know.
You know how inscrutable those people are.
 

dybmh

דניאל יוסף בן מאיר הירש
Perhaps we don't mean the same thing when we say love. And maybe we don't mean the same thing when we say enemy. An enemy is somebody that means harm to me or those I care about. Love is treating others as if they are part of the self, which includes looking out for their best interests. I'm not going to do that for an enemy. Call that loving them from a distance if you like, but I call it exclusion.
It's semantics, but it speaks to a mindset.

From a karmic perspective, when a some one does harm to another they are actually harming themselves as well. If this is true, then the best way to nurture ( love ) your enemy is to prevent them from hurting themselves or others via containment or exclusion. But not with violence. That's what I mean by 'Love... from a distance'.
 
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