Dirty Dozen Research Articles

Serbian adaptations of the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen (DTDD) and Short Dark Triad (SD3)

We conducted three studies to examine the psychometric properties of the Serbian translations of the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen (Study 1, N = 364) and the Short Dark Triad (Study 2, N = 409), as well as their convergent and discriminant validity in relation to basic HEXACO personality traits and empathy (Study 3, N = 443). The three-factor structure, convergent validity, and discriminant validity were confirmed for both instruments. The main correlates of the traits, from both instruments, were low Honesty-Humility and lack of affective empathy. Also, alpha coefficients for scale scores were satisfactory and scale information was good, with more precision in above-average levels of trait for some of the scales (e.g., psychopathy). Both instruments are recommended to be used in further research.

Psychometrics properties of the Spanish version of two Dark Triad scales: The Dirty Dozen and the Short Dark Triad

The Dark Triad refers to three malevolent personality traits, namely narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. The Dirty Dozen (DD) and Short Dark Triad (SD3) have been developed as concise scales for measuring these traits. This study examined the psychometrics properties of the Spanish version of the DD and SD3 in a non-clinical population recruited via the internet (N = 454). For both scales, we found (1) an adequate fit for the hypothesized factor structure with three separate but correlated malevolent traits; (2) mostly moderate to good reliability coefficients; (3) significant gender differences with males scoring higher on Dark Triad traits than females; (4) theoretically meaningful links with Eysenck’s personality supertraits; (5) positive correlations with externalizing and – albeit to a lesser extent –internalizing psychiatric symptoms; and (6) that most Dark Triad traits were positively associated with a socially desirable response tendency. It can be concluded that the Spanish DD and SD3 display highly similar psychometric qualities as the original scales and other translations of these measures.

Analyzing the Links Between Problematic Social Media Use, Dark Triad Traits, and Self-esteem

Social media use, which is regarded as a popular leisure activity around the world, brings about the risk of becoming problematic in its wake, and personality differences have been shown to relate with different levels of engagement in risky social media use. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of problematic social media use (PSMU) with Dark Triad (DT) traits (i.e., Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism) and self-esteem. A total of 827 university students [495 (60%) women and 332 (40%) men, Mage = 20.36, SD = 1.47] filled out a questionnaire that included the Social Media Disorder Scale, Dark Triad Dirty Dozen Scale, and Single Item Self-esteem Scale. The direct effects of DT traits and self-esteem on PSMU and the indirect effect of narcissism on PSMU through self-esteem were investigated by applying structural equation modeling. Results indicated that, when controlling for gender and age, Machiavellianism and narcissism had small significant direct effects on PSMU, while the partial indirect link of narcissism via self-esteem was negligible. The model was able to explain 18% of the variance. Results were discussed in the light of existing literature.

IRT analyses of the Swedish Dark Triad Dirty Dozen

BackgroundThe Dark Triad (i.e., Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy) can be captured quickly with 12 items using the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen (Jonason and Webster, 2010). Previous Item Response Theory (IRT) analyses of the original English Dark Triad Dirty Dozen have shown that all three subscales adequately tap into the dark domains of personality. The aim of the present study was to analyze the Swedish version of the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen using IRT. Method570 individuals (nmales = 326, nfemales = 242, and 2 unreported), including university students and white-collar workers with an age range between 19 and 65 years, responded to the Swedish version of the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen (Garcia et al., 2017a,b). ResultsContrary to previous research, we found that the narcissism scale provided most information, followed by psychopathy, and finally Machiavellianism. Moreover, the psychopathy scale required a higher level of the latent trait for endorsement of its items than the narcissism and Machiavellianism scales. Overall, all items provided reasonable amounts of information and are thus effective for discriminating between individuals. The mean item discriminations (alphas) were 1.92 for Machiavellianism, 2.31 for narcissism, and 1.99 for psychopathy. ConclusionThis is the first study to provide IRT analyses of the Swedish version of the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen. Our findings add to a growing literature on the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen scale in different cultures and highlight psychometric characteristics, which can be used for comparative studies. Items tapping into psychopathy showed higher thresholds for endorsement than the other two scales. Importantly, the narcissism scale seems to provide more information about a lack of narcissism, perhaps mirroring cultural conditions.

Dirty Dozen Scale: a study of adaptation to Turkish university students

Objective: In recent years, Machiavellianism, psychopathy and narcissism have been considered together as the dark sides of the personality. In this study, the purpose is to adapt the Dirty Dozen Scale to Turkish culture. Meth-ods: Four steps have been conducted in this study. These studies are linguistic equivalence study, structure and concurrent validity study, predictive validity study, and reliability study, respectively. Nine hundred and thirty-two university students (61% female), who were included in the four steps, participated in the study. Results: Applying a confirmatory factor analysis [χ2(51,430)=145.16, p

Concept of Dirty Dozen: The Silent Killers of Human Factor Errors and Mistakes

Concept of Dirty Dozen: The Silent Killers of Human Factor Errors and Mistakes

Measurement of narcissism: From classical applications to modern approaches

Different conceptions of narcissism exist within the literature such as grandiose, vulnerable, pathological, collective, and communal, each of which can be measured using self-report measures. Within the current paper, we review and discuss most of the existing measures of these different trait (i.e., non-clinical) narcissism constructs. This includes an examination of their underlying theoretical foundations and an evaluation of the scale construction process. We start our review from the one-dimensional measures of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism such as the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, the Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale, the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen, the Short Dark Triad, the Narcissistic Grandiosity Scale, the Narcissistic Vulnerability Scale, and the Single Item Narcissism Scale. Then, we introduce the multidimensional measures to study narcissism such as the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire, the Five Factor Narcissism Inventory, and the Pathological Narcissism Inventory. The r view concludes by presenting measures of understudied narcissistic constructs such as the Communal Narcissism Inventory and the Collective Narcissism Scale. In general, using one-dimensional scales might provide important insights into the general underpinnings of narcissistic personality, however assessment via multi-dimensional tools better reflects its complex nature.

Trout, monitors of the Great LakesTrout, monitors of the Great Lakes

ENVIRONMENT Trout, monitors of the Great LakesTrout, monitors of the Great Lakes ShareShare onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InRedditEmail C&EN, 2017, 95 (46), p 30November 20, 2017Cite this:C&EN 95, 46, 30(Credit: iStockphoto)Figure1of2Figure1of2Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) are the largest member of the char family and occupy the top of the food web in deep, cold lakes across the upper reaches of North America. Prized by anglers, lake trout often live up to 20 years, reaching more than 60 cm in length and 10 kg in weight with high body-fat content. All these characteristics make lake trout perfect for biomonitoring because they accumulate pollutants in their bodies at levels indicative of their environmental exposure.In the Great Lakes, the world’s largest freshwater system, lake trout have been under surveillance for more than 40 years by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Environment & Climate Change Canada. At the onset of monitoring in the 1970s, the focus was on the “dirty dozen” persistent organic pollutants listed by the 2001 Stockholm Convention. These recognizable compounds, now banned from production and use, include the pesticides DDT and lindane as well as industrial chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Although the levels of most of these chemicals of concern as measured in lake trout have decreased significantly, demonstrating the desired effects of global restrictions, some are still present at easily detectable and potentially detrimental concentrations.In the past 15 years, monitoring has evolved to include newer classes of chemicals like polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants and fluorinated alkyl substances used for their stain-resistant, water-repellent, and nonstick properties. The lake trout data and data from other fish species sampled globally help facilitate risk assessments of chemicals in the environment and measure the effectiveness of risk-management regulatory actions.Sources:Thomas M. Holsen and Chuanlong Zhou, Clarkson University; Daryl McGoldrick, Environment & Climate Change Canada Did you know?Trout can be aged from their ear bones, called otoliths, which have growth rings like trees do.“Lake trout are long-lived and far-ranging top predators that integrate exposure to bioaccumulative chemicals in their bodies, providing us with a window into which chemicals are impacting the environment.”—Thomas M. Holsen, Clarkson University and EPA’s Great Lakes Fish Monitoring & Surveillance Program Data bite Canadian-U.S. monitoring of lake trout in the Great Lakes since the 1970s has tracked changes in the concentrations of legacy pollutants and emerging pollutants of concern. These graphs provide a snapshot of the recent trends for two of them (Environ. Sci. Technol. 2017, DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b00982).

French adaptation of the Short Dark Triad: Psychometric properties and a head-to-head comparison with the Dirty Dozen

Research on the Dark Triad (DT), a term coined to describe three socially aversive personality traits (Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy), has grown exponentially over the past years, in part due to the dissemination of two short, valid measures of the construct: the Short Dark Triad (SD3), and the Dirty Dozen (DD). The goal of this study is to report on the psychometric properties of a French adaptation of the SD3 (N=405). Analyses include classical psychometric properties assessment, with a head-to-head comparison with the competing DD. The French SD3 showed good basic psychometric qualities. Factor structure was optimally represented by a bifactor model, as most items load both on their respective trait factor and on an overarching DT factor. There were significant, conceptually meaningful associations with measures of psychopathic traits, pathological narcissism, empathy, impulsivity, and social desirability. The SD3 showed incremental convergent validity over the DD for most variables, notably antisociality and impulsivity; however, the DD showed stronger positive association with pathological narcissism and stronger negative association with empathic concern. Overall, the French SD3 possesses sound psychometric properties, comparable with the original version. The relative merits of the SD3 and the DD for research and screening purposes are discussed.

Does the Dark Triad Manifest Similarly in men and Women? Measurement Invariance of the Dirty Dozen across sex

The Dark Triad is a constellation of three socially undesirable personality traits: narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism. Previous research has shown that men tend to score higher than women on Dark Triad scales, but the validity of these results is questionable as there is no evidence that the scales used exhibit measurement invariance across sex in the adult population. Here, we report four studies assessing the measurement invariance across sex of a recently developed, concise measure of the Dark Triad, namely Jonason and Webster's (2010) Dirty Dozen (DD). As no validated Italian version of the DD was available, we developed an Italian version and assessed its psychometric properties. Studies 1 to 3 revealed that the Italian DD had adequate psychometric properties, and replicated the three-factor structure and the nomological network of the original version. Study 4 provided evidence of the measurement invariance of the DD across sex, such that men scored higher than women with respect to psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and, to a lesser extent, narcissism. These findings indicate that the DD can be used to provide reliable assessments of sex differences in Dark Triad traits. Furthermore, the results of sex comparisons are consistent with a biosocial approach to social role theory that assumes that being agentic rather than communal is considered desirable for men and undesirable for women.

Psychometric properties of the French-Canadian version of the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen

The Dark Triad is a term used to describe a constellation of undesirable personality traits (i.e., Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy) that have received considerable empirical attention during the past decade. The Dark Triad Dirty Dozen (DTDD) is a concise instrument developed to assess these traits which has shown good psychometric properties. The aim of this study (N=394) was to translate and validate a French-Canadian adaptation of the Dirty Dozen (DTDD-FC). The DTDD-FC presented (1) good internal consistency and item properties; (2) a bifactor structure (i.e. items loading on each of their respective trait factor as well as with a global factor); (3) conclusive associations with nomological network surrounding each trait (i.e., convergent and discriminant validity coefficients) and social desirability; and (4) sex differences for psychopathy. Overall, the French-Canadian adaptation of the Dirty Dozen seems to be a valid and psychometrically sound measure of the Dark Triad traits, and is comparable to the original English version.

La «Triada Oscura de la Personalidad» y tácticas de retención de pareja

The main objective of this study has been analyzed in the Dark Triad Personality and the retention tactics of couple in a sample of general population. Likewise, specific objectives are to determine the incidence of Triada traits in the sample, as well as to study the existence of differences in the retention tactics of couples based on sex, the emotional situation and the sexual orientation of the participants. A cross-sectional design was carried out and an ex post facto selective methodology was followed. The sample consisted of 229 people aged between 17 and 62 years and was selected by means of an accidental online sampling. For data collection, three questionnaires were applied; The Dirty Dozen (DD), Mate Retention Inventory Short-Form (MRI-SF) and Protocol for the Collection of Sociodemographic Information. The results obtained show that men present a greater TRIOPE than women, these apply greater retention tactics of couple, and that the people who live with their partner they use more retention tactics of couple.

The Dark Triad traits and individual differences in self-reported and other-rated creativity

The current study (N=402) explored the relationship between the Dark Triad traits (i.e., narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy) and individual differences in creativity. We measured the Dark Triad traits with the Dirty Dozen and the Short Dark Triad. Participants completed three alternative use tasks that were independently scored by four judges for the number of responses offered (i.e., fluency), the general level of creativity, and the harmfulness of their responses (i.e., using an innocent object for nefarious purposes). We also assessed self-reported creativity with an ad hoc measure of domain-general creative ability. Those high in narcissism reported being more creative than most individuals, but were rated as less creative. Machiavellianism and psychopathy were positively correlated with harm-based creativity; with male-specific correlations in psychopathy. Results are discussed in terms of creativity as an expression of latent biases that characterize the Dark Triad traits.

Issue Information

The current issue of PsyCh brings our fourth and final installment to an ongoing special collection on the theme of Single Case Studies. An opening Editorial comments on how the collection as a whole has illustrated the potential of single cases for exploratory research which can disclose previously unrecognized phenomena and thus enrichen research as a whole. Two case studies follow, the first a consideration of the appeal of Chinese abstract artist Lao Zhu's pictures, incorporating neurocognitive analysis in attempting to illuminate the nature of information processing during aesthetic appreciation. The second reports on split‐brain phenomena in an anterior communicating artery aneurysm rupture patient who was first evaluated by A. R. Luria in 1976. Two Short Communications follow, the first on motor imagery in two single cases of catatonic schizophrenia, and the second examining the influence of tactile exploration on neural activation patterns for visual imagery in a case of acquired blindness.As regular contributions, the issue then features an original article on an experimental investigation of flexible integration of retinal and extra‐retinal clues during self‐motion perception. Two Special Reports follow, the first considering the utility of investing in the cognitive capital of young children as a framework for policy decisions about the effective use of resources in China's next phase of development towards a more prosperous society. The second is a proposal from Mario Bunge, a highly innovative interdisciplinary thinker, for the reconceptualization of mental pathologies based on recognition of their grounding in brain processes, thereby overcoming the philosophical flaw of psychoneural dualism, in which mental diseases have long been regarded as disorders not of the brain but of an immaterial mind. Two Short Communications then complete the issue, the first being an attempted confirmatory factor analysis of the structure of the Swedish version of the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen, and the second a consideration of models for mechanisms, such as temporal windows, by which neural oscillations are utilized for time perception during information processing in the brain. image

Factor analysis of the Swedish version of the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen.

The aim of this study was to test the proposed three-factor structure of the Swedish version of the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen measure. A confirmatory factor analysis showed mixed evidence for model fit. In contrast to expectations, men did not score significantly higher than women in Machiavellianism and narcissism. Nevertheless, men scored higher than women in psychopathy.

Reliability and validity of the Turkish versions of Dark Triad Dirty Dozen (DTDD-T), Short Dark Triad (SD3-T), and Single Item Narcissism Scale (SINS-T)

The Dark Triad Dirty Dozen (i.e., DTDD), Short Dark Triad (i.e., SD3), and the Single Item Narcissism Scale (i.e., SINS) were adapted into Turkish and validated (N=368). We examined internal consistency, factor structures, and convergent and discriminant validity of the scales using the Mach-IV, LSRP, NPI-16, Rosenberg's self-esteem scale, and Big Five scales. The Turkish versions of the scales had good psychometric properties and can be used in further research.

Exploring the Dark Side of Personality: Emotional Awareness, Empathy, and the Dark Triad Traits in an Italian Sample

The Dark Triad represents a collection of three socially aversive traits, namely Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism. In this study, we examined the psychometric properties of the Italian translation of the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen (DTDD) in a sample of 799 adults, and we explored the associations among Dark Triad traits, theory of mind, empathy, and alexithymia. The DTDD showed a good internal consistency and a bifactor structure including a three-factor non-hierarchical model and a global, second-order factor with all of the DTDD items loading on it. The DTDD traits were positively associated with alexithymia and negatively associated with theory of mind and empathy. Also, results of regression analyses showed that difficulty identifying feelings and a reduced emotional reactivity were significant predictors of the Dark Triad traits. Our findings support the validity and reliability of the Italian translation of the DTDD, and suggest that individuals with high levels of Dark Triad traits may have difficulties in understanding and processing their own rather than other people’s emotional states.

Personality dark triad: Portuguese validation of the dirty dozen

IntroductionThe Dark Triad is a term used to describe a constellation of three socially undesirable personality traits: narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism. Contrary to Altruism (the desire to help others with no personal reward or gain), these traits are harmful to others. Given the increased scientific interest on the dark triad, Jonason and Webster developed a shorter questionnaire to evaluate these three independent-yet-related constructs with only 12 items – Dirty Dozen (D12).ObjectiveTo investigate the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Dirty Dozen.MethodsA community sample composed of 286 university students (69.2% females; mean age = 21.09 ± 2.133; range: 17–33) answered the Portuguese preliminary versions of the Dirty Dozen and of the Altruism dimension from HEXACO-100. To study the temporal stability, 30 participants (66.7% females) answered the D12 again after six weeks.ResultsThe EA Cronbach alpha was “very good” (a = 0.72). Following Kaiser and Cattel Scree Plot criteria, three meaningful factors were extracted which explained variance (EV) was of 54.64%: F1 Machiavellianism (EV 32.07%; a = 0.73), F2 Narcissism (13.665%; a = 0.74), F3 Psychopathy (8.90%; a = 0.64). The test-retest correlation coefficients were high, positive and significant for the total D12 and its dimensions (r > 0.70; P < 0.001). Pearson correlations of D12 total and dimensional scores and Altruism were negative, moderate and significant (r@ − 0.30).ConclusionsThe Portuguese version of Dirty Dozen has good reliability and validity. It could be very useful both in clinical and research contexts, namely in an ongoing project on the relationship between dark triad and perfectionism traits.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Portuguese validation of the Psychological Entitlement Scale

IntroductionPsychological entitlement can be conceived as a disposition to believe that one deserves or is entitled to more than others. This pervasive sense has a wide impact on social behaviour, namely undesirable social outcomes. Given these theoretical implications on self-concept and interpersonal functioning, Campbell and Bonacci developed a shorter questionnaire of the Psychological Entitlement Scale (PES) to evaluate this construct by reducing from the original version from 57 to 9 items.ObjectiveTo investigate the psychometric properties of Psychological Entitlement Portuguese version.MethodsA community sample composed of 286 university students (69.2% females; mean age = 21.09 ± 2.133; range: 17–33) answered the Portuguese preliminary versions of the PES, of the Dirty Dozen and of the honesty-humility dimension from the HEXACO-100.ResultsThe PES Cronbach alpha was “very good” (a = 0.75). Following Kaiser and Cattel Scree Plot criteria, only one factor was extracted (explained variance = 35.46%), meaning that the scale is unidimensional. Pearson correlation coefficient of between PES and narcissism (r = 0.36), psychopathy (r = 0.21) and Machiavelism (r = 0.24) were positive, moderate and significant (P < 0.01). Pearson correlation between PES and honesty-humility was negative, moderate and significant (r = −0.43 P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe Portuguese version of PES present good internal consistency and convergent-divergent validity. Because we consider that psychological entitlement reflects a stable disposition, it is our intent to analyze PES temporal stability within the ongoing research project on the relationship between perfectionism and other personality traits. PES could be very useful both in clinical and research contexts.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Portuguese validation of the Perfectionism Self Presentation Scale

IntroductionPerfectionist Self Presentation represents the interpersonal expression of perfectionism wherein individuals engage in strategies that promote their supposed perfection and conceal their perceived imperfections (Hewitt et al., 2003).ObjectiveTo investigate the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Perfectionist Self Presentation Scale/PSPS.MethodsTwo hundred and eighty-six university students (69.2% females; mean age = 21.09 ± 2.133) answered the Portuguese preliminary version of the PSPS, and the Portuguese validated versions of: Multidimensional Perfectionism Scales, Dirty Dozen and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale. To study the temporal stability, 30 participants (66.7% females) answered the PSPS again after six weeks. SPSS and MPlus were used.ResultsThe PSPS Cronbach alpha was .91. The test-retest correlation coefficient was .66 (P < .01). Exploratory factor analysis resulted in a three dimension's model (χ2 = 1974.015, P < .01; RMSEA = 0.079, 90% CI = 0.069–0.088; CFI = 0.869; TLI = 0.812; SRMR = 0.046). The three factors presented good internal consistency: F1 Perfectionist self-presentation (PSPS; a = .85), F2 Interpersonal Concern over mistakes (ICM; a = .79); F3 Perfectionist image (PI; a = .70).PSP and ICM (and PI with fewer significant coefficients and lower magnitudes) were moderately to highly correlate with personal standards, concern over mistakes, doubts about action, self-oriented perfectionism and social prescribed perfectionism (≥ .40). Correlations with narcissism and machiavellianism, anxiety and stress were moderate (r = .30) (all P < .01).ConclusionsThe Portuguese version of PSPS has good reliability and validity, with the factorial model presenting an acceptable fit (Hair et al., 2004). It could be very useful both in clinical and research contexts, namely in an ongoing research project on the relationship between perfectionism and interpersonal functioning.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.