Dark Tetrad
The Dark Tetrad, also known as the Dark Quad, is a set of interrelated negative personality features: narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and sadism. The term expands on the Dark Triad construct, which does not include sadism. In the last decade, researchers have noted a correlation between sadism and Dark Triad traits, resulting in the Dark Tetrad. The concept was coined by Erin Buckles, Daniel Jones, and Delroy L. Paulhus in 2013. Paulhus is also the originator of the Dark Triad construct.
Understanding the Dark Tetrad
People with Dark Tetrad traits score high on measures of the following:
- Narcissism: A belief that one is special, particularly gifted, self-obsessed, and feeling superior to others.
- Machiavellianism: A tendency to see people as a means to achieve one's own goals.
- Psychopathy: A condition characterized by a lack of affective empathy and the willingness to exploit others.
- Sadism: The tendency to derive pleasure from the pain or humiliation of others.
Those with high Dark Tetrad personality scores tend to be malicious, exploitative, ruthless, and mean. They typically hold themselves in high esteem and do whatever it takes to get what they want. Dark Tetrad personalities score low on traits of emotionality, honesty, humility, conscientiousness, and agreeableness. Men score higher than women on measures of each Dark Tetrad trait.
No, the Dark Tetrad is a confluence of personality traits. Three of the four elements of the Dark Tetrad, however, do have correlates in the DSM. High levels of psychopathy most closely resemble antisocial personality disorder, and high levels of sadism are a prerequisite for sexual sadism disorder. Pathological levels of narcissism may translate to narcissistic personality disorder.
Individuals may score highly in each of these traits on their own, without others. A narcissistic person does not have to be a sadistic person, and a psychopath may not be Machiavellian. But researchers have found that among the many personality traits, these four appear together more often than expected if the constructs were unrelated. The common underlying feature is evident in each of these four "dark" constructs: The tendency to see others as a means of achieving one's own ends.
Machiavellianism is a personality trait that describes individuals who unscrupulously use strategy and manipulation to get what they want. The term derives from the political philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli, who wrote The Prince in 1532.
It can be difficult to know what another person’s personality traits are without a formal evaluation. An individual who lies often, seems to lack empathy, and manipulates and bullies others may be in the Dark Tetrad.
There are evolutionary arguments about why dark traits persist in the population, though there is no certain answer to this question. Research has shown that narcissistic individuals can use the trait to their advantage, coming across to others as highly confident and successful, and may have good social skills. Psychopathy, or at least a diminished degree of empathy, can help people make strategic decisions and think rationally, without their feelings getting in the way. Machiavellian individuals may scheme and strategize their way to desired goals. The results of these traits could all be useful in finding a mate and passing along genes. Narcissists, in particular, have been found to prefer other narcissists in romance.
There is a link between internet trolls, cyberbullies, and Dark Tetrad traits. Study participants who said trolling was their favorite online activity also scored highest on tests for Dark Tetrad traits. Psychopathy and sadism, in particular, correlate most strongly with internet trolling and bullying.
Many personality tests exist, but among the Dark Tetrad scales, the most popular and most recent is the SD-4, or Short Dark Tetrad test. Developed by Erin Buckles and Delroy L. Paulhus (the originator of the Dark Triad concept), the SD-4 has 28 questions designed to measure whether someone is “crafty,” “special,” “wild,” and “mean.” There are other personality tests that measure each trait individually.
Although both people high in the traits of sadism and psychopathy may engage in cruelty or violence, the distinction is that sadists enjoy cruelty while psychopaths are indifferent to it. If a person high in psychopathy acts violently, it is more likely a reaction to a provocation or a means to an end. A person high in sadism may enjoy inflicting violence or cruelty for its own sake.
Some have called the Dark Tetrad another name for evil. But while people high in Dark Tetrad traits may have more capacity for evil behaviors than others, an inclination and concrete action are quite distinct. Psychopathy entails a lack of empathy for the well-being of others, but it doesn’t mean people high in psychopathy want to inflict harm upon others. They care less if others are hurt. A person high in narcissism may be egotistical but harmless. Someone high in Machiavellianism may be more likely to manipulate others but take no pleasure in their strategies. Those high in sadism, however, do take pleasure from cruelty and the pain of others. That doesn’t mean they engage in it themselves, however. They may enjoy viewing cruelty in movies, video games, or other media. Taken together, the four traits may look like a recipe for evil, but it certainly does not require these traits for humans to inflict evil upon each other.
