I always wonder about cases where one is high and the other two are low. The one time I did this I wound up with very low narcissism and psychopathy and high machiavellianism--I'm harmless, but *very* suspicious and cynical.
The reframing of dark triad traits as a life history strategy rather than purely pathological is compelling. The connection to short-term vs long-term time horizons provides a more nuanced understanding than simply labeling these traits as "bad." It makes sense that someone optimizing for immediate gains would naturally develop performative narcissism, strategic manipulation, and emotional detachment. The key insight that this strategy "works or doesn't work depending on other character traits and circumstances" removes moral judgment while maintaining analytical clarity. Playing longer games with better people is indeed the practical takeaway.
Only vaguely heard of the addition of sadism. But it integrates pretty well into the hypothesis, as sadism would make engaging in a fast life-history and extractive strategy easier.
I was aware of that one. Low sadism and high rest of the dark triad are probably business types who are completely cold-blooded; sadism's actually maladaptive as you make more enemies than you otherwise would. High sadism and low dark triad traits are all those kink doms who have to find a masochist first.
I always wonder about cases where one is high and the other two are low. The one time I did this I wound up with very low narcissism and psychopathy and high machiavellianism--I'm harmless, but *very* suspicious and cynical.
Enjoyable read
The reframing of dark triad traits as a life history strategy rather than purely pathological is compelling. The connection to short-term vs long-term time horizons provides a more nuanced understanding than simply labeling these traits as "bad." It makes sense that someone optimizing for immediate gains would naturally develop performative narcissism, strategic manipulation, and emotional detachment. The key insight that this strategy "works or doesn't work depending on other character traits and circumstances" removes moral judgment while maintaining analytical clarity. Playing longer games with better people is indeed the practical takeaway.
No tetrad? The addition of sadism?
>No tetrad?
Only vaguely heard of the addition of sadism. But it integrates pretty well into the hypothesis, as sadism would make engaging in a fast life-history and extractive strategy easier.
I was aware of that one. Low sadism and high rest of the dark triad are probably business types who are completely cold-blooded; sadism's actually maladaptive as you make more enemies than you otherwise would. High sadism and low dark triad traits are all those kink doms who have to find a masochist first.