Self scan · 09

Dark triad test: which shadow is yours?

The dark triad is three personality traits psychologists study together: narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy. Everyone has a little of each. Fifteen questions to find out which one is loudest in you.

15 QUESTIONS · ~3 MIN · NOTHING LEAVES YOUR BROWSER

Pair scan: you both take it on this phone, one after the other, and get a card for the two of you.

How this scan works

Three patterns, 15 questions, one readout.

Every question feeds one of the pattern meters. Whichever pattern scores highest relative to its own scale becomes your readout, unless nothing scores high, in which case you land on the baseline archetype. The archetypes are plain-language summaries of patterns described in published personality research, not clinical labels.

  • Narcissism5 questions
  • Machiavellianism5 questions
  • Psychopathy5 questions

Frequently asked

What is the dark triad?

A cluster of three personality traits that psychologists study together because they overlap: narcissism (need for admiration), Machiavellianism (strategic manipulation) and psychopathy (low empathy, high impulsivity). All three exist on a spectrum in the general population, mostly at subclinical levels.

Is having dark triad traits bad?

Not automatically. Each trait has situations where it helps: narcissism in performance, Machiavellianism in negotiation, low-fear psychopathy in crisis roles. The problems appear in close relationships and when the traits run high without the empathy to balance them.

Is my answer data stored?

No. Scoring happens entirely in your browser and nothing is sent anywhere. Close the tab and it is gone.

More scans

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Relationship scan · 02Am I in a toxic relationship?15 questions · 4 readouts
Reality scan · 03Am I being gaslit?15 questions · 4 readouts
Relationship scan · 04Is my ex a covert narcissist?15 questions · 4 readouts
Workplace scan · 05Is my boss a narcissist?15 questions · 4 readouts
Workplace scan · 06Is my coworker manipulating me?15 questions · 4 readouts
Self scan · 07What’s my attachment style?15 questions · 4 readouts
Self scan · 08Am I the narcissist?15 questions · 4 readouts
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