Pursuing the Dark Triad

Abstract

Abstract. The Dirty Dozen scale is a short measure developed to assess the Dark Triad traits, namely Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism, which has previously shown good psychometric properties. The aim of this study was to validate a Spanish version of the Dirty Dozen through the assessment of its psychometric properties in a sample constituted by 326 young adults aged 18–34 ( M = 20.55; SD = 1.89) from Spain. The Spanish version of the Dirty Dozen showed good internal consistency and acceptable test-retest stability. Likewise, the analysis of the factorial structure supported the three-factor solution and showed a best fit for the bifactorial model. The latent factor of the general Dark Triad was associated with low levels of Honesty/Humility, psychopathic traits, impulsivity, and sensation seeking; whereas a differential pattern of associations between the three specific Dark Triad latent factors and the nomological network was found. Furthermore, the Dark Triad traits showed differential relations with reactive and proactive aggression, verifying the external validity of the Spanish version of the Dirty Dozen. Results support the distinctiveness of the Dark Triad traits and justify the Dirty Dozen as an efficient measure for dark personalities in Spanish-speaking contexts.