Using the HEXACO model to test the validity of the Dirty Dozen measure of the Dark Triad

Abstract

The Dirty Dozen measure of the Dark Triad (i.e., narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism) has not been assessed in relation to the HEXACO model of personality despite evidence that the latter might provide better detail about the Dark Triad traits than the Five Factor Model. In this study (N=544), we present the first attempt to correlate the Dirty Dozen subscales with a HEXACO measure. Consistent with previous research on the Dark Triad, the Honesty/Humility factor was more strongly correlated with the Dirty Dozen subscales at the zero-order level than was the Agreeableness factor but the association with psychopathy was stronger for Agreeableness when we controlled for shared variance in the Dark Triad. In addition, we explored how the Dirty Dozen relates to different facets of the HEXACO model, affirming its utility in that despite the relatively high correlations among the traits and the limited content breadth, it still taps a range of personality traits.