Dark Core of Personality (D-Factor)
Everyone has a dark side. The D-Factor measures the dark core of personality — the shared root of egotism, cruelty, and deceit.
The D-Factor measures the dark core of personality — the tendency to pursue self-interest at others' expense. 16 items, based on Moshagen et al. (2020).
The dark core of personality
The D-Factor (Dark Factor of Personality) measures the common core underlying all dark personality traits — Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, and more. It's the tendency to maximize your own utility at the expense of others, while justifying or causing harm.
What the D-Factor means
The D-Factor shows up as:
- Egoism — prioritizing your own interests
- Moral disengagement — justifying harmful behavior
- Disregard for others — seeing people as tools or obstacles
- Antagonism — hostility and callousness
About this scale
Morten Moshagen and colleagues developed the D-Factor concept in 2018. They proposed that all dark personality traits share a common core — a general tendency toward selfish, antisocial behavior.
Research shows that the D-Factor predicts:
- Unethical decision-making
- Aggression and violence
- Counterproductive work behavior
- Relationship problems
This assessment helps you understand where you fall on the dark personality spectrum. Use it for personal reflection.
Result Interpretation
After completing the 16 questions, you'll receive an immediate, detailed report with:
- Your score — calculated automatically based on your responses
- Score interpretation — what your score means in practical terms
- Context — how your results compare to general population norms where available
All results are displayed on screen. No account or login needed.