Neue Forschungen finden ein schlimmeres Muster als die Dunkle Triade. Der soziale Narzisst (23 %) war ebenso egoistisch und manipulativ wie der Allround-Böswillige (16 %). Sie verschleiern ihr Eigeninteresse, wenn sie sich melden oder wenn der Einsatz gering ist, betrügen aber dennoch und handeln konkurrenzfähig, wenn sich die Gelegenheit bietet.

I’ve linked to the news release in the post above. In this comment, for those interested, here’s the link to the peer reviewed journal article:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10551-024-05835-4

Abstract

This paper adopts a person-centered approach to explore how personality traits from the HEXACO and Dark Triad cluster into profiles. We examine how these emergent profiles correlate with behavioral deviance and prosociality. Three studies (total N = 792) reveal five qualitatively different latent profiles which we label: ‘emotional dysregulated’, ‘dark social recluse’, ‘all-round malevolent’, ‘socially considerate’, and ‘social narcissist’. These profiles were differentially related to self-reported deviance and prosociality, as well as behavioral expressions of deviance. In particular, the ‘all-round malevolent’ openly expressed their deviance in both word and deed. However, although the ‘social narcissist’ disguised their deviance when self-reporting, they cheated as much as the ‘all-round malevolent’ in behavioral tasks when they believed themselves unaccountable. These findings suggest that certain combinations of HEXACO and Dark Triad traits may be more pernicious than Dark Triad alone.

From the linked article:

KEY POINTS

– The traits that make up the dark triad may not truly reflect the most malevolent patterns in personality.
– New research shows that by looking at personality profiles, an even worse malevolent pattern emerges.
– As dark as the dark triad can be, it’s probably most important to avoid the social chameleons.

Social narcissist: self-centered, entitled, and attention-seeking as well as being highly sociable; low in workplace deviance and moderate in levels of prosocial behaviors (23 percent)

All-round malevolent: very sociable, manipulative, and self-serving; highest levels of workplace deviance and lowest levels of prosocial behaviors (16 percent)

Although, as predicted, the all-round malevolent participants behaved in ways consistent with their profile, surprising findings emerged related to the behavior of the social narcissists. Despite sharing characteristics with the socially considerate, this narcissistic profile was associated with behaviors that were just as selfish and manipulative as those of the malevolent. They are, as the authors note, “inclined to disguise their self-interested orientation when self-reporting, or when the stakes are low, yet [do] cheat and act competitively when there is an opportunity.” In short, such an individual is “something of a self-interested social chameleon.”

As you can see from the findings, it’s not the blatantly malevolent you need to steer clear of. That person at work who undercuts you at every opportunity is someone you can easily identify once you’ve been burned. Strangely, it may be the people who seem nice that can present the real danger. Because the social narcissist shares traits with the socially cooperative, though, what can tip you off?