Skip to main content

Dark Triad Subtraits Test

The popular Dark Triad Test measures the prevalence of Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism in a person’s character. Tayler Truhan, Ph.D. and her colleagues at Belfast University now believe they have discovered a model that allows them to drill deeper into Dark Triad, expanding the original 3 dark traits with 12 subtraits.

What are your Dark Triad subtraits like? For each of the following questions, indicate your level of agreement below.

Question 1 of 60

I am a cynical person.

Disagree
Agree

NEXT

The IDRlabs Dark Triad Subtraits Test (IDR-DTST) was developed by IDRlabs. The IDR-DTST is based on the work of Tayler E. Truhan and her colleagues, who wrote the paper “The Many Faces of Dark Personalities: An Examination of the Dark Triad Structure Using Psychometric Network Analysis.” The IDR-DTST is not associated with any specific researchers in the field of psychopathology or any affiliated research institutions.

The IDRlabs Dark Triad Subtraits Test was informed by the study of Truhan, Wilson, Mottus, and Papageorgiou, as published in Truhan, T., Wilson, P., Mottus, R. & Papageorgiou, K. (2021). The many faces of dark personalities: An examination of the dark triad structure using psychometric network analysis. Personality and Individual Differences, 171, [11502], and as cited in Denovan, A., Dagnail, N., Artamonova, E. & Papageorgiou, K. (2021). Dark triad traits, learning styles, and symptoms of depression: Assessing the contribution of mental toughness longitudinally. Learning and Individual Differences, 91(1):102053. Xiao, Mengqi & Wang, Zhuofan & Kong, Xiaoshan & Ao, Xiya & Song, Jia & Zhang, Peng. (2021). Relatedness Need Satisfaction and the Dark Triad: The Role of Depression and Prevention Focus. Frontiers in Psychology.

The work of Truhan and her colleagues has also informed some of the diagnostic criteria in the form of their study, “The Many Faces of Dark Personalities: An Examination of the Dark Triad Structure Using Psychometric Network Analysis.” The present test is intended for educational purposes only. IDRlabs and the present IDRlabs Dark Triad Subtraits Test are independent of the above researchers, organizations, or their affiliated institutions.

The Dark Triad Subtraits Test is based on famous and well-regarded research on the evaluation of the dark triad structure and uses psychometric network analysis. However, free online tests and quizzes such as this one are solely first takes and cannot provide accurate assessments of your potential condition. Therefore, the test is intended to be used for educational purposes only. A definitive mental health assessment can be made only by a qualified mental health professional.

As the publishers of this free online Dark Triad Subtraits Test, which allows you to screen yourself for the signs and symptoms of this condition, we have striven to make the test as reliable and valid as possible by subjecting it to statistical controls and validation. However, free online quizzes such as the present Dark Triad Subtraits Test do not provide professional assessments or recommendations of any kind; the test is provided entirely “as-is.” For more information about any of our online tests and quizzes, please consult our Terms of Service.

Why Use This Test?

1. Free. This Dark Triad subtraits test is delivered to you free of charge and will allow you to obtain your scores related to Cynicism, Immorality, Detachment, Interpersonal Manipulation, Thrill Seeking, Overt Antisociality, Risky Behavior, Antisocial Aggression, Exploitativeness, Status Seeking, Grandiose Self, and Haughtiness/Insouciance.

2. Clinically oriented. The feedback delivered by this instrument is based on the work of researchers and is designed to deliver a clear clinical picture of the respondent’s current symptoms indicating narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism as measured according to standardized items.

3. Statistical controls. Statistical analysis of the test is conducted to ensure maximum accuracy and validity of the test scores.

4. Made by professionals. The present Dark Dozen Test has been made with the input of people who work professionally with psychology and individual differences research.