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Longitudinal Stability and Change of the Dark Triad: A Call for Research in Postsecondary, Occupational, and Community Settings

Author(s):
Williams, Kevin M.; Martin-Raugh, Michelle; Lentini, Jennifer
Publication Year:
2022
Report Number:
RR-22-18
Source:
ETS Research Report
Document Type:
Report
Page Count:
24
Subject/Key Words:
Longitudinal Studies, Personality Theories, Personality Traits, Big Five, Dark Triad, Machiavellianism (Psychology), Narcissism, Psychopathology, Interpretation, Evaluation, Workforce Participation, Postsecondary Education, Occupation, Community Role, Social Behavior, Psychology, Training Programs

Abstract

Researchers, theorists, and practitioners have expressed a renewed interest in the longitudinal dynamics of personality characteristics in adulthood, including organic life span trajectories and their amenability to volitional change. However, this research has apparently not yet expanded to include the Dark Triad (psychopathy, narcissism, Machiavellianism), despite approximately 2 decades of research that has thoroughly examined other important issues related to construct validity and interpersonal behavior. We argue that researchers in postsecondary, occupational, and community-based settings are in a unique position to study the important phenomenon of DarkTriad malleability, as they are less hindered by obstacles in clinical and forensic contexts that have generated largely inconclusive results. In this report, we discuss several examples of methods for evaluating, quantifying, and interpreting Dark Triad malleability, examples of relevant extant training programs, possibilities for developing new programs, and factors that may moderate training efficacy, including Dark Triad levels themselves. Beyond addressing a fundamental question regarding the nature of these traits, the Dark Triad’s destructive tendencies suggest that efforts to reduce them would provide myriad societal benefits and could propel Dark Triad research in an important new direction.

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