The Dark Triad Psychology Encyclopedia

01. Narcissism (Grandiose & Vulnerable Entitlement)

Driven by a fragile inner core armored in grandiose superiority. They require continuous external admiration (Narcissistic Supply) to regulate self-esteem.

• Love-Bombing & Devaluation: Showers targets with excessive praise early on, then systematically devalues them to maintain control.
• Narcissistic Rage & Silent Treatment: Reacts to mild feedback with explosive hostility or punishing emotional withdrawal.
• DARVO Tactic: Denies wrongdoing, Attacks the person confronting them, and Reverses Victim and Offender roles.

Takes credit for team achievements while blaming subordinates for setbacks; describes every ex-partner as "crazy" while eroding your self-worth.

Stop seeking their approval or trying to win logical debates. Apply the Gray Rock Method—become emotionally unreactive and uninteresting so they lose their supply source.

02. Machiavellianism (Strategic Manipulation)

Rooted in a cynical worldview that views morality as weakness. Unlike impulsive psychopaths, Machiavellians are patient chess players who protect their reputation.

• Triangulation: Pits colleagues or partners against each other using selective information to remain the sole power broker.
• Gaslighting: Systematically distorts facts and context until the victim doubts their own memory and sanity.
• Leverage Harvesting: Collects personal confessions during moments of fake intimacy to use as ammunition later.

Avoids leaving written records of promises, shifts alliances effortlessly toward authority figures, and weaponizes plausible deniability.

Never rely on verbal promises. Maintain a strict written paper trail (emails, documented agreements) and keep personal vulnerabilities behind a firm information firewall.

03. Subclinical Psychopathy (Callous Antisociality)

Possesses intact cognitive empathy (knowing how you feel) to manipulate you, but zero affective empathy (caring how you feel), paired with fearless impulsivity.

• Superficial Charm: Disarms targets rapidly with bold confidence, charisma, and tailored flattery.
• Pathological Deceit: Lies effortlessly without physiological stress, pivoting smoothly even when caught red-handed.
• Parasitic Thrill-Seeking: Exploits others’ finances, loyalty, or emotions without guilt out of chronic boredom.

Micro-expressions of cold contempt toward vulnerable people, chronic rule-breaking framed as bad luck, and complete indifference to others’ distress.

Abandon any "Savior Fantasy" that your love or patience will heal them. Empathy deficits cannot be loved away—immediate No-Contact and physical distance are essential.