Differentiating Dark Triad Traits Within and Across Interpersonal Circumplex Surfaces

Abstract

Recent discussions surrounding the Dark Triad (narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism) have centered on areas of distinctiveness and overlap. Given that interpersonal dysfunction is a core feature of Dark Triad traits, the current study uses self-report data from 562 undergraduate students to examine the interpersonal characteristics associated with narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism on four interpersonal circumplex (IPC) surfaces. The distinctiveness of these characteristics was examined using a novel bootstrapping methodology for computing confidence intervals around circumplex structural summary method parameters. Results suggest that Dark Triad traits exhibit distinct structural summary method parameters with narcissism characterized by high dominance, psychopathy characterized by a blend of high dominance and low affiliation, and Machiavellianism characterized by low affiliation on the problems, values, and efficacies IPC surfaces. Additionally, there was some heterogeneity in findings for different measures of psychopathy. Gender differences in structural summary parameters were examined, finding similar parameter values despite mean-level differences in Dark Triad traits. Finally, interpersonal information was integrated across different IPC surfaces to create profiles associated with each Dark Triad trait and to provide a more in-depth portrait of associated interpersonal dynamics.

Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry: An Interpersonal Approach to Construct Validation

“…Most prior IPC studies of narcissism examined interpersonal style (Bradlee & Emmons, 1992;Crowe, Carter, Campbell, & Miller, 2016;Miller, Gentile, & Campbell, 2013;Miller et al, 2012;Ruiz et al, 2001;Southard, Noser, Pollock, Mercer, & Zeigler-Hill, 2015) or problems (Dickinson & Pincus, 2003;Hopwood, Pincus, DeMoor, & Koonce, 2008;Miller et al, 2012;Pincus et al, 2009), but interpersonal goals and sensitivities have also been examined (Dowgwillo & Pincus, 2017;Locke, 2000). Generally, narcissism is associated with dominant and hostile interpersonal style, goals, and problems, and heightened sensitivities to submissive behavior of others, but with some variability.…”

“…However, to our knowledge, no studies yet have examined associations of the NARQ scales with multiple IPC-based measures. Examining the NARQ across multiple interpersonal surfaces provides a more comprehensive assessment of interpersonal functioning in the context of narcissistic admiration and rivalry (and related components) (e.g., see Dowgwillo & Pincus, 2017). As a further test of the NARC model, and a further test of the construct validity of the NARQ scales, we examined their IPC correlates.…”

“…However, it is important to note that style, goals, and problems are conceptually distinct elements of interpersonal process, and they can provide unique information in both research and clinical assessment (Dowgwillo & Pincus, 2017;Hopwood, Wright, Ansell, & Pincus, 2013;Pincus et al, 2014). The less clear results for interpersonal sensitivities may reflect the weaker circular structure of its correlations with aspects of narcissism (i.e., poor model fit).…”

Dispositional malevolence and impression formation: Dark Tetrad associations with accuracy and positivity in first impressions

“…The Dark Triad traits are disparate in their conceptual origins and central characteristics, but research reveals substantial empirical overlap when assessed in subclinical populations. Specifically, the Dark Triad traits share a callous lack of regard for others (e.g., Dowgwillo & Pincus, 2016;D. N. Jones & Figueredo, 2013;Lee & Ashton, 2005) and low Honesty-Humility (Book et al, 2015(Book et al, , 2016.…”

“…In social encounters of the latter sort—involving a person with malevolent tendencies—first impressions carry particularly high stakes. Dispositional malevolence increases the likelihood that an individual will assume a hostile and competitive stance against others (Dowgwillo & Pincus, ; Jonason, Li, & Teicher, ; D. N. Jones & Paulhus, ), and in a competitive social exchange, the upper hand is gained by quickly “sizing up” one's opponent. Given the potentially high stakes on both sides of these interactions, a crucial but unanswered question remains: How do malevolent traits factor into interpersonal impression formation?…”