The 9 ‘dark traits’: what they mean, and where to work if you have them
Very few of us will have a completely clean slate when it comes to the dark traits that derive from the D factor. Here you can get to know the nine components of a dark personality – and where to find suitable work if you have them...
1. SADISM You like other people’s pain
You wish to cause other people mental or physical pain, so you can enjoy it.
Behaviour: You take pleasure in abusing, bothering and scaring animals and people without cause.
Job preferences: Dentist, nurse, police officer, soldier.
Typical crimes: Violence, sexual crimes or murder of a particularly unpleasant kind, often under emotional strain.
2. MACHIAVELLIANISM The end justifies the means
You are manipulative and cold, with a firm belief that the end justifies the means.
Behaviour: You are often charming and give compliments - or make threats. Job preferences: Politics, economics, business. Typical crimes: Fraud, cheating, harassment, threats, exploitation, and abuse.
3. PSYCHOLOGICAL ENTITLEMENT You feel superior to others
Your general belief is that you are superior to others and deserve better treatment.
Behaviour: You always expect praise and recognition. Criticism makes you angry and bitter.
Job preferences: Jobs that earn you prestige and power without requiring too much.
Typical crimes: General crime: criminals often have high psychological entitlement scores.
4. NARCISSISM You seek attention
You are highly self-obsessed, tend to be self-promoting, and crave attention.
Behaviour: You disregard other people to become the centre of attention. Highly competitive.
Job preferences: Art and culture, social services, nursing, and entrepreneurship. Typical crimes:
Tax and financial fraud.
5. PSYCHOPATHY You are abusive and dominant
You have low levels of empathy, self-control and sense of guilt, but high levels of risk tolerance and drive.
Behaviour: You abuse and dominate other people with aggressive, patronising and threatening behaviour.
Job preferences: Practical jobs in trade, industry, and services or top executive positions.
Typical crimes: Violence, sexual crimes and murder, often planned.
6. EGOISM You look after your own interests
You are obsessed with your own gain at the expense of other people or the community.
Behaviour: You avoid sharing or doing something for others without any personal gain. Job preferences: You can often get any top executive job. Typical crimes: No particular link to crime.
7. SELF-INTEREST You seek status
You wish to improve and draw attention to your social and financial status.
Behaviour: You are motivated by education, work and other blessings, but not at the expense of other people. Job preferences: No particular professions or jobs.
Typical crimes: No particular link to crime.
8. MORAL DISENGAGEMENT You do not feel guilt
You tend to be unscrupulous and are able to behave without moral qualms.
Behaviour: You disrespect moral standards, disclaiming responsibility. Job preferences:
Pest controller, bailiff.
Typical crimes: Dominant trait of almost all groups of criminals.
9. SPITEFULNESS You wish to harm others
You are destructive and want to harm other people, even if it will harm yourself too.
Behaviour: You belittle or harm other people because you feel that you have been treated unjustly yourself.
Job preferences: You can obtain top jobs, as nobody will or dares to get in your way. Typical crimes: Simple violence, stalking, harassment.