Dark Triad Test (SD3)

What is the Short Dark Triad (SD3)?

The Short Dark Triad (SD3) is a 27-item self-report measure of three socially aversive personality traits developed by Daniel N. Jones and Delroy L. Paulhus, and published in the journal Assessment in 2014. The SD3 has become one of the most widely cited dark personality instruments in research, with three subscales of nine items each.

What are the three Dark Triad traits?

• Machiavellianism: a strategic, manipulative orientation that prioritises self-interest and views people as means to an end.
• Narcissism: a sense of grandiosity, entitlement, and a need for admiration.
• Psychopathy: impulsivity, callousness, low empathy, and a willingness to break social rules.

How is this test scored?

You rate 27 statements on a 5-point scale from 1 (Strongly disagree) to 5 (Strongly agree). Five items are reverse-scored. Each of the three subscales is the average of its 9 items, giving a score from 1.0 to 5.0 per subscale. Your overall Dark Triad index is the average of the three subscale scores. Note: The score bands shown here are editorial interpretations. The original SD3 does not define categorical cutoffs, and scores should be interpreted as positions on a continuum.

Is a high score a personality disorder?

No. The SD3 measures subclinical traits in the general population. A high score does not mean you have narcissistic personality disorder or antisocial personality disorder. Clinical conditions require comprehensive assessment by a qualified mental health professional. The SD3 is a research instrument that shows where you sit relative to other adults on a continuum, not a diagnostic tool.

Can Dark Triad traits be useful?

Research suggests Dark Triad traits can be associated with short-term advantages in competitive contexts such as negotiation, leadership ascension, and short-term mating. They are also reliably linked to longer-term costs including damaged relationships, reduced trust from others, and lower psychological wellbeing. The picture depends on which trait, at what level, and in which context.

Can Dark Triad traits change?

Personality traits tend to be relatively stable but are not fixed. Research shows trait levels can shift over time with significant life events, sustained therapy, and deliberate behaviour change. Self-awareness is often the first step. Knowing where you sit can help you recognise patterns and decide what you want to develop further or rein in.

How accurate is the SD3?

The SD3 has strong psychometric properties. In Jones and Paulhus (2014), Cronbach alpha was 0.77 for Machiavellianism, 0.71 for narcissism, and 0.80 for psychopathy. Test-retest reliability over weeks is good across all three subscales. The SD3 has been validated in many cultural samples and translated into multiple languages. As with all self-reports, results depend on honest responding.

How does the SD3 differ from the Dirty Dozen?

Both measure the Dark Triad, but the SD3 has 27 items and the Dirty Dozen has 12. Research by Maples and colleagues (2014) found the SD3 has stronger content coverage and better convergent validity with longer dark trait scales, while the Dirty Dozen is faster but trades off some psychometric quality.

Is my data stored anywhere?

No. OmLumi has a strong commitment to user privacy and does not collect any personal data. All scoring happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your answers are never transmitted to any server, stored in a database, or shared with any third party. No account or login is required, and results are available instantly. When you close the tab, your answers are gone.