Short Dark Triad (SD3)
Machiavellianism, Narcissism & Psychopathy
SD3 measures three dark personality traits. 27 self-report items assess Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy. Takes about 5 minutes.
The Short Dark Triad (SD3), developed by Daniel N. Jones and Delroy L. Paulhus in 2014, measures three socially aversive personality traits in 27 items.
It covers Machiavellianism (strategic manipulation and cynical worldview), Narcissism (grandiose sense of self-importance and need for admiration), and Psychopathy (impulsivity, callousness, and lack of empathy).
Each subscale has 9 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1=Strongly disagree, 5=Strongly agree). The SD3 was designed as a brief but reliable proxy for the standard longer measures, balancing brevity with adequate construct coverage. It includes 5 reverse-scored items.
The SD3 is validated for subclinical populations and should not be used as a clinical diagnostic instrument.
Subscale Descriptions
Machiavellianism Tendency toward interpersonal manipulation, strategic thinking, and a cynical view of human nature. High scorers are pragmatic, calculating, and willing to exploit others — but they maintain their reputation.
Narcissism Exaggerated sense of self-importance, need for admiration, and entitlement. High scorers expect special treatment and believe they are unique or exceptional.
Psychopathy Impulsivity, thrill-seeking, and callous affect. High scorers disregard rules and others' well-being, act without planning, and show little remorse.
Psychometrics
Internal consistency: α = .71–.78 across subscales. Three-factor structure confirmed (CFI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.05). Convergent validity with gold standard measures: r = .52–.78 (Mach-IV, SRP-III, NPI).
> This test uses the published SD3 scale, which is freely available for academic and non-commercial use. Please cite Jones & Paulhus (2014). *Assessment*, 21(1), 28–41.
Result Interpretation
After completing the 27 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
- Dimension breakdown — separate scores for each sub-scale
- Context — how your results compare to general population norms where available
All results are displayed on screen. No account or login needed.