The Dark Triad: Traits to Watch For
In this concise monologue, Arthur C. Brooks outlines the three personality traits that compose the psychological "dark triad": 1. Narcissism – an extreme self‑centered focus where the individual constantly seeks attention and believes they are the most important person. 2. Machiavellianism – a strategic, manipulative orientation named after Niccolò Machiavelli, where the person pursues personal goals without regard for who they hurt, willing to exploit or harm others if they stand in the way. 3. Psychopathy – characterized by very low empathy and a lack of remorse; not necessarily violent, but the individual does not feel guilt when they cause harm. Brooks emphasizes that a "dark triad" person is essentially someone who thinks primarily about themselves, will hurt others to achieve their aims, and feels no remorse for doing so. The explanation is framed as a warning about recognizing these traits in everyday interactions rather than describing extreme criminal behavior.
