Dark Triad Test

Answer 27 statements to see your scores for narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy, based on the Short Dark Triad (SD3).

27 questions · About 5 minutes · No sign-up

Question 1 of 27

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For self-awareness and entertainment, not a clinical diagnostic tool. Everyone has some level of these traits; answer honestly.

I tend to want others to admire me

The three traits

  1. Narcissism

    Grandiosity, entitlement, and a need for admiration. At moderate levels, narcissism can fuel confidence and ambition.

  2. Machiavellianism

    Strategic thinking, manipulation, and a pragmatic approach to social interactions. Moderate levels can indicate political savvy.

  3. Psychopathy

    Impulsivity, thrill-seeking, and reduced empathy. At moderate levels, this can manifest as boldness and fearlessness.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Dark Triad in psychology?

The Dark Triad refers to three personality traits: Narcissism (grandiosity and need for admiration), Machiavellianism (manipulation and strategic thinking), and Psychopathy (impulsivity and reduced empathy). These traits exist on a spectrum and everyone has some level of each. High scores do not make someone a bad person.

Does a high Dark Triad score mean I am a bad person?

No. Dark Triad traits exist on a spectrum and everyone possesses some level of each trait. Moderate levels can even be adaptive: narcissism can drive confidence, Machiavellianism can enable strategic thinking, and psychopathy can support bold decision-making. Only extreme, persistent patterns that harm others are clinically concerning.

How is the Dark Triad measured?

The most common scientific measure is the Short Dark Triad (SD3) questionnaire developed by Jones and Paulhus (2014). It uses 27 self-report items to measure all three traits. This online test is based on SD3 concepts for educational and self-awareness purposes, not clinical diagnosis.

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