In the Shadows of Personality: Unpacking the Traits of the Dark Tetrad
A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X). This special issue belongs to the section "Social Psychology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Personality not only shapes how we understand ourselves but also plays a central role in how we navigate and influence the social world around us. Among the most intriguing and controversial dimensions of personality are the Dark Tetrad traits—psychopathy, narcissism, Machiavellianism, and sadism. These traits, often viewed as socially aversive, can nevertheless function adaptively in certain contexts, providing a competitive edge in business and relationships. Social media has recently generated more public interest in the traits of the Dark Tetrad, especially narcissism and its detrimental outcomes for partners and families. More than ever, therefore, research in this area is crucial to distinguishing fact from fiction and promoting a better understanding of how these traits manifest and operate within social settings.
This Special Issue invites contributions that explore all dimensions of Dark Triad research, including theoretical models, developmental trajectories, biological and neurobiological foundations, cultural and contextual influences, behavioural outcomes, and links to personality pathology. We welcome both theoretical and applied papers, and we strongly encourage submissions from scholars at all stages of their careers. We look forward to showcasing a diverse and thought-provoking collection of articles that advance our understanding of these compelling and consequential personality traits.
Dr. Alyson E. Blanchard
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- dark triad
- psychopathy
- primary and secondary psychopathy
- narcissism
- grandiose and vulnerable narcissism
- machiavellianism
- sadism
- development and stability of antisocial traits
- biological and neurobiological bases of the dark triad
- cultural and contextual influences on the dark triad
- dark triad and behavior
- personality pathology
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