Short Dark Triad Assessment (SD3 Original)
The Short Dark Triad (SD3) is the gold standard academic measure for assessing the three socially aversive, subclinical personality traits: Machiavellianism (strategic interpersonal manipulation), Subclinical Narcissism (grandiosity and entitlement), and Subclinical Psychopathy (impulsive thrill-seeking and callous affect).
What Your Score Report Includes
Upon completing all 18 items, you will immediately receive an in-depth psychometric breakdown calculated directly against empirical population norms.
Calibrated Dark Triad Percentile Breakdown
Exact scoring across Machiavellianism, Narcissism, and Psychopathy compared against population norms.
Interpersonal Shadow Dynamics
How your trait blend influences negotiation, conflict, leadership, and romantic boundaries.
Constructive Integration Strategies
How to channel strategic acumen and boldness productively without damaging interpersonal trust.
Printable Dark Triad Summary
A discreet summary for personal reflection, research, or executive coaching.
Dimensions & Traits Evaluated
Our instrument measures variance across the following empirically validated psychological dimensions:
Strategic pragmatism, cynical worldviews, instrumental manipulation, and prioritizing personal utility.
Guileless, transparent, genuinely trusts others; rejects tactical manipulation.
Pragmatic and discerning; protects own interests without exploiting others.
Highly strategic, cynical; views social interactions as games of leverage and influence.
Sense of entitlement, desire for prestige, grandiosity, and sensitivity to perceived disrespect.
Modest, humble, self-effacing; uncomfortable when thrust into the spotlight.
Healthy self-confidence and self-respect without arrogant entitlement.
High ambition, seeks prestige, craves admiration, and expects special deference.
Thrill-seeking impulsivity, low affective empathy, cynicism toward rules, and low social anxiety.
Deeply empathetic, risk-averse, conscientious, and highly attuned to social harm.
Typical emotional empathy with situational boldness when taking necessary risks.
High risk tolerance, fearless, emotionally detached, comfortable with confrontation.
Scientific Background & Psychometric Validity
Pioneered by psychologists Delroy Paulhus and Kevin Williams in 2002 and refined into the SD3 in 2014, the framework studies subclinical variations in normal adult populations.
The three traits share a common antagonistic core of callousness and low agreeableness, yet represent distinct evolutionary social strategies.
This assessment uses the authentic, peer-reviewed items and 5-point Likert response options from the published SD3 protocol.
Who Should Take This Assessment
Adults seeking authentic self-knowledge of subclinical personality traits and relational shadow patterns
Assessment Instructions
Answer spontaneously according to your true habits and feelings, rather than what you feel is 'ideal' or expected by others. There are no right or wrong answers.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Short Dark Triad Test
No. The SD3 measures subclinical personality traits within the normal non-clinical adult population, not formal psychiatric disorders.
Ready to Discover Your Results?
Takes approximately 5 minutes. Completely free, anonymous, and calculated securely in your browser.
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View TestThese assessments are developed for self-reflection, personal growth, and educational insight. They do not constitute the provision of clinical diagnosis, medical counsel, or psychiatric treatment. All scoring algorithms execute 100% client-side in your local web browser.