"不是所有的精神病患者都在监狱里——有些在董事会会议室，"罗伯特黑尔，肉食者在我们中间。 　　

　　

　　并非所有的精神病人都在监狱，有些在董事会会议室里。——Robert Hare， 《我们身边的捕食者》 　　

　　

　　一 　　

　　

　　What is the Dark Triad? 　　

　　

　　什么是黑暗三性格？ 　　

　　

　　想象两种类型的人。第一种是自私、不诚实、充满敌意、冷酷无情。第二类是慷慨、诚实、友好和热情。你更喜欢哪一个？你会选择哪一个做你的老板、朋友或伙伴？你希望你的孩子成为哪种类型的人，和哪种类型的人交朋友？你希望哪种类型的人成功？ 　　

　　

　　想象两种类型的人第一种人自私、不诚实、充满敌意、铁石心肠;第二种人慷慨、诚实、友好、温暖。你更喜欢哪一种？你更愿意哪一种作为你的老板、朋友或伴侣？你更想让你的孩子成为哪种人、和哪种人交朋友？你想看到哪种类型的人成功？ 　　

　　

　　我猜你和大多数人会选择第二种。还有一个悖论：如果大多数人更喜欢第二种类型，为什么我们会看到这么多成功、有关系、有权势的人肯定是第一种类型？ 　　

　　

　　我猜你，以及大多数人都会选择第二种类型。但问题在于，如果大多数人都喜欢第二种类型，为什么我们看到那么多成功、人脉丰富、强大之人很明显属于第一种类型呢？ 　　

　　

　　黑暗三要素指的是三种不同但相关的负面人格特征。这些是自恋，马基雅维利主义和精神变态。拥有它们会让一个人难以管理。 　　

　　

　　黑暗三性格是指3种各不相同却又互相关联的负面性格：自恋、马基雅维利主义（权术主义）和精神病态。有黑暗三性格的人会令人很难掌控。 　　

　　

　　 　　

　　

　　01 　　

　　

　　自恋 　　

　　

　　自恋 　　

　　

　　首先是自恋。这个术语来源于希腊神话中的那西塞斯，一个年轻人在看了一眼池塘中的自己后爱上了自己的倒影。他全神贯注于此，结果掉进水里淹死了。 　　

　　

　　自恋者骄傲自大，对他人缺乏同理心，对批评的容忍度低。自恋者为了自己的利益而操纵他人，对此毫无顾忌。他们也贬低其他人。值得注意的是，人都有不同程度的自恋。 　　

　　

　　首先是自恋。这一词来源于希腊神话中一个叫水仙的年轻人。他看到池中自己倒影之后就爱上了自己的倒影，如此痴迷以至于跌落水中溺亡。 　　

　　

　　自恋者傲气十足、对他人缺乏同理心、很难忍受批评。自恋者可以毫无顾忌地利用他人实现个人利益。他们还会贬低别人。值得注意的是，人们的自恋程度各有不同。 　　

　　

　　02 　　

> 　　

Machiavellianism

　　

马基雅维利主义/权术主义

　　

16th-century Italian diplomat, Niccolo Machiavelli gets the credit for the term ‘Machiavellianism.’ It came about because critics felt that his book ‘The Prince,’ condoned cunning, deceit, and self-interest. The book said that these qualities were necessary for political gain.

　　

Therefore, people with such traits take lying to new heights. They have no morals or feelings for others.

　　

这一名词源于16世纪意大利外交官 Niccolo Machiavelli。评论家们认为他的著作《The Prince》纵容狡猾、奸诈和自私自利等品质。书中观点认为这些是在政治中获胜的必需品质。因此，拥有这些性格特征的人将“撒谎”带上了一个全新的高度。他们毫无道德感，毫不顾忌别人。

　　

03

　　

Psychopathy

　　

精神病态

　　

Those with psychopathic traits have no feelings for others. Because they have no remorse, they show anti-social behaviors. Many of them are explosive and controlling.

　　

有精神病态特征的人不会顾忌他人。因为他们毫无愧疚之心、他们表现出反社会行为。他们很多人性格暴躁、有控制欲。

　　

It should be noted that, unlike clinical personality traits, these traits are normally distributed in the population – e.g., you can score low, average or high – and perfectly indicative of normal functioning. In other words, just because you score high doesn’t mean that you have problems, either at work or in your personal life. And despite the antisocial implications of the dark triad, recent research has highlighted a wide range of career-related benefits for these personality characteristics.

　　

需要注意的是，与临床性格特种不同，这些性格特征在人群中广泛分布，即，你可能会得分较低、平均或较高，而且都表示你很正常。换言之，只是得分较高并不意味着你在工作中或是在个人生活中有问题。另外，尽管黑暗三性格有反社会倾向，但近期研究却显示这些性格会在职场上带来很多益处。

　　

　　

　　

　　

2

　　

How Would You Know That Someone Has the Dark Triad?

　　

如何判断一个人是否有黑暗三性格？

　　

Jonason and Webster’s Dirty Dozen scale can give you a quick way to spot the Dark Triad individual in your midst. Rate each item on a 7-point scale as you think it applies to this person. Of course, you can also rate yourself on these qualities to see how you measure up:

　　

Jonason 和 Webster的 Dirty Dozen（“黑暗十二条”）评分表能够让你快速发现有黑暗三性格之人。各项总分都是7分（1分：强烈不赞同；7分：强烈赞同），可以用来评测他人也可以评测自己。

　　

1 I tend to manipulate others to get my way.

　　

我会操纵他人来达成自己的目的

　　

2 I tend to lack remorse.

　　

我不大会懊悔愧疚

　　

3 I tend to want others to admire me.

　　

我会想要让其他人仰慕我

　　

4 I tend to be unconcerned with the morality of my actions.

　　

我不大会在意自己行为是否道德

　　

5 I have used deceit or lied to get my way.

　　

我曾通过欺骗、撒谎手段达成个人目的。

　　

6 I tend to be callous or insensitive.

　　

我通常冷漠或麻木

　　

7 I have used flattery to get my way.

　　

我曾通过奉承手段达成个人目的

　　

8 I tend to seek prestige or status.

　　

我倾向于追求名誉和地位

　　

9 I tend to be cynical.

　　

我不相信人间有真情

　　

10 I tend to exploit others toward my own end.

　　

我会剥削他人来实现个人目的

　　

11 I tend to expect special favors from others.

　　

我会期望得到别人的特别优待

　　

12 I want others to pay attention to me.

　　

我想让别人关注我

　　

The total score can range from 12 to 84, but you can also break down the scales into the three traits as follows: Machiavellianism= 1, 5, 7, 10; Psychopathy= 2, 4, 6, 9; Narcissism= 3, 8, 11, 12.

　　

Anyone scoring upwards of 45 would be considered very high on the Dark Triad total.

　　

总分最低12分，最高84分。

　　

题目与各性格对应：

　　

权术主义：1, 5, 7, 10；

　　

精神病态：2, 4, 6, 9；

　　

自恋：3, 8, 11, 12

　　

任何得分45分以上者表示黑暗三性格总分非常高。

　　

3

　　

Origin

　　

起源

　　

Biological/生物学角度

　　

All three traits of the dark triad have been found to have substantial genetic components. It has also been found that the observed relationships among the dark triad are strongly driven by individual differences in genes. However, while psychopathy (h = 0.64) and narcissism (h = 0.59) both have a relatively large heritable component, Machiavellianism (h = 0.31) while also moderately influenced by genetics, has been found to be less heritable than the other two traits.

　　

据发现，三种性格特种都有显著的基因成分。另外也发现，黑暗三性格之间的关系深受个体基因不同的影响。但尽管精神病态（遗传系数0.64）和自恋（遗传系数0.59）遗传成分较高，权术主义（遗传系数0.31）虽然也在受到基因的适度影响，遗传成分要低于另外两种性格。

　　

Evolutionary/进化论角度

　　

Evolutionary theory may also explain the development of dark triad traits. It has been argued that evolutionary behavior predicts not only the development of dark triad personalities, but also the flourishing of such personalities. Indeed, it has been found that individuals demonstrating dark triad personality can be highly successful in society. However, this success is typically short-lived. The main evolutionary argument behind the dark triad traits emphasizes mating strategies. This argument focuses on the notion of life history strategy. Life history strategy proposes that individuals differ in reproductive strategies; an emphasis on mating is termed a "fast life" strategy, while an emphasis on parenting is termed a "slow reproductive" strategy. While some components of the dark triad are related to a fast life strategy, other components are related to slow reproductive strategies.

　　

进化论可能也能够解释黑暗三性格的形成。有种观点认为进化行为不仅预言了黑暗三性格的形成，而且还预言了这些性格的蓬勃发展。实际上，表现出黑暗三性格的个体在社会中会获得高度成功。但这种成功通常是短暂的。从进化论角度来看，黑暗三性格注重“交配”。这基于生活史策略*这一概念。根据生活史策略这一概念，每个个体在繁殖策略上是各不相同的。注重“交配”的，被称为“快生活”策略，而注重“养育”的，被称为“慢繁殖”策略。

　　

*All organisms follow a specific sequence in their development, beginning with gestation and ending with death, which is known as the life cycle. Events in between usually include birth, childhood, maturation, reproduction, and senescence, and together these comprise the life history strategy of that organism.

　　

*所有生命体在发展过程中都遵循着特定的顺序，从孕育到死亡，即生命周期。期间发生的事件通常包括出生、童年、成熟、繁殖和衰老，这些事件就组成了一个生命体的“生活史策略”。

　　

4

　　

Confused About Successful Jerks ？Why do bad guys win?

　　

为什么“杀人放火金腰带，修桥补路无尸骸”？

　　

Previously, an impressive 15-year longitudinal study found that individuals with psychopathic and narcissistic characteristics gravitated towards the top of the organizational hierarchy and had higher levels of financial attainment. In line with those findings, according to some estimates, the base rate for clinical levels of psychopathy is three times higher among corporate boards than in the overall population. This is also consistent with earlier conceptualizations of psychopathy among businessmen. In his classic 1940’s book The Mask of Sanity, Hervey Cleckley noted that the psychopathic businessman works industriously and appears rather normal, except for his periodic sprees of “marital infidelity, callousness, wild drinking, and risk-taking”.

　　

之前，一个备受瞩目的长达15年的纵向研究发现，有精神病态和自恋特征的人易于跻身公司最高层，而且经济成就也更高。无独有偶，根据一些预测，在公司董事会中，临床精神病态的基本比率是整体人群中的三倍。这也与之前对商人群体中“精神病态”的描述相符。在 Hervey Cleckley 1940年的经典著作“The Mask of Sanity”中，他指出，有精神病态特征的商人工作勤勉、看起来很正常，除了时不时的“婚姻不忠、麻木冷漠、酗酒和冒险等。”

　　

In part, because there is clearly a bright side to their dark side. As found in a study examining the overlap between positive and negative personality characteristics, extraversion, openness to new experience, curiosity, and self-esteem are generally higher among dark triad personalities. In addition, dark triad traits tend to enhance competitiveness, if only by inhibiting cooperation and altruistic behaviors at work. In addition, studies have shown that psychopathic and Machiavellian tendencies facilitate both the seduction and intimidation tactics that frighten potential competitors and captivate bosses. This explains why individuals with these personality characteristics are often great actors, as well as succeeding in (short-term) sexual relationships.

　　

这其中部分是因为这些性格也有光明的一面。一项对正面和负面性格特征重叠之处的研究表明，外向、体验新事物的意愿、好奇心和自尊感等普遍在黑暗三性格中更明显。另外，黑暗三性格也常常会让人更有竞争意识，即使这是通过抑制职场中的合作和利他行为来实现的。另外，也有研究表明，精神病态和权术主义也有助于开展引诱和恐吓策略，这能够吓退潜在竞争对手，吸引领导。这也解释了为何有这些性格特征的人常常是出色的演员，并且会在（短期）性关系中战绩斐然。

　　

Although there is clearly an adaptive element to the dark triad – which explains why bad guys often win – their success comes at a price, and that price is paid by the organization. In evolutionary terms, dark triad personality characteristics constitute the essence of the freeriding. And the more polluted or contaminated the environment – in a political sense – the more these parasitic personalities will thrive.

　　

尽管黑暗三性格很明显有良性的一面，这也解释了为什么混蛋通常能成功，但他们的成功却是有代价的，而这个代价则是由组织承担。在进化论中，黑暗三性格的特点则构成了“搭便车”这一行为的本质。而且，环境越是乌烟瘴气（从政治层面上讲），这些寄生虫般的性格特征就越是如鱼得水。

　　

Not surprisingly, a number of studies have linked the dark triad to higher incidents of bullying. Moreover, meta-analytic studies have shown significant associations between the dark triad and counterproductive work behaviors (theft, absenteeism, turnover, sabotage, etc.). In an impressive analysis of all the scientific studies published between 1951 and 2011, Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy were all positively linked with counterproductive work behaviors and poor organizational citizenship, and Machiavellianism and psychopathy were also negatively linked to actual job performance (as opposed to career success). As reviews have highlighted, “Ponzi schemes, internet fraud, embezzlement, insider trading, corruption, and malfeasance” can all be attributed to dark triad personality traits.

　　

不出意料，很多研究都发现黑暗三性格与更高霸凌发生率相关。另外，元分析研究活动也发现在黑暗三性格和不良工作行为（盗窃、缺勤、员工流失、蓄意破坏等）也有显著联系。对1951年至2011年所出版的所有科学研究活动开展的一项分析表明，权术主义、自恋和精神病态都与不良职场行为和不良组织公民行为（未被正常的报酬体系所明确和直接规定的、员工的一种自觉的个体行为，这种行为有助于提高组织功能的有效性。这些行为一般都超出了员工的工作描述，完全出于个人意愿，既与正式奖励制度无任何联系，又非角色内所要求的行为。）成正比，而权术主义和精神病态也与实际工作绩效（与“职场成功”相对）成反比关系。

　　

But as the saying goes, everything is better in moderation (except of course moderation). For example, studies have shown that an intermediate – rather than low – level of Machiavellianism predicts the highest level of organisational citizenship, perhaps because Machiavellian individuals are politically savvy and good at networking and managing upwards. In another study that examined military leadership, the best leaders displayed the bright-side features of narcissism while inhibiting its dark-side traits: they were high in egotism and self-esteem but low in manipulativeness and impression management.

　　

但正如常言所说，凡事适度为妙（当然，除了“适度”之外）。例如，研究发现，中度的——而非少量的——权术主义会带来最高度的组织公民行为，这可能是因为权术主义个体都精通政治、善于交际、擅长“向上管理”（巧妙处理与上级关系）。另一项研究军事领导层的研究表明，最高明的领导都表现出了自恋特征的光明面，同时抑制了其阴暗面：他们有极高的自信自尊感，但操纵行为和印象管理行为却很少。

　　

印象管理：印象管理（Impression Management）,也叫自我呈现(Self Presentation)是心理学家欧文·戈夫曼(Erving Goffman)通过系统的观察和分析于1959年《日常生活中的自我表现》一书中提出的理论。是指人们试图管理和控制他人对自己所形成的印象的过程。通常，人们总是倾向于以一种与当前的社会情境或人际背景相吻合的形象来展示自己，以确保他人对自己做出愉快的评价。

　　

So perhaps one may think about dark-side tendencies as overused strengths – tendencies that are fairly adaptive and conducive of short-term success, but may nonetheless lead to problems in the long term, especially if one is not aware of them. That is, the dark side represents the toxic assets of our personality. You can certainly turn them into career weapons, but the group will generally lose the more you win. Furthermore, when the primary goal is to ensure that a group or organization outperforms its rivals, it will be generally advantageous to minimize the incidence of dark triad leaders. Personality is an important career lubricant, but dark-triad traits are effective at the individual rather than group level.

　　

因此，可能你也可以将这些阴暗面视为过度发挥的性格优点——这些阴暗面有一定益处，而且有助于短期成功，但长期而言可能会导致问题发生，尤其是当一个人根本意识不到这些阴暗面时。也就是说，这些阴暗面代表了我们性格中的毒性一面，你当然能够将它们转变为职场武器，但你得到的越多，整个集体通常就会蒙受损失。另外，当主要目标是让整个团队或企业打败对手时，尽量减少黑暗三性格领导人比例，这通常是有益的。性格是重要的职场润滑剂，但黑暗三性格特征对个人比对集体更有效。

　　

5

　　

How to Deal with People with Dark Triad Traits

　　

如何应对有黑暗三性格特征之人

　　

How would you escape the clutches of a person with the Dark Triad? There is no easy way to go about it. However, there are steps you can take to reduce their negativity.

　　

如何逃脱这类人的钳制呢？这并非易事，但可以遵循一些步骤，减少他们的危害。

　　

First of all, people with these qualities have difficulty managing their anger. Those with psychopathic traits, for example, are bad-tempered. At work, their anger may show in passive-aggressive behaviors like ignoring people or sulking. It is important not to take the behavior personally because it is often not about you.

　　

首先，有这些特质的人通常难以管理自己的愤怒情绪。譬如，有精神病态特征的人往往脾气暴躁。在工作中，他们的愤怒可能会表现为消极式攻击行为，比如忽视别人或生闷气等。重要的一点是，不要觉得这是在针对自己，因为他们这些行为通常与你无关。（没必要和垃圾人对着干，引火上身）

　　

Also, take some time to listen to their concerns and counsel them about their behavior. Stand your ground. If they are bullies, confront them and hold them responsible.

　　

另外，花些时间听他们的担忧顾虑，并针对他们的行为为他们提供建议。捍卫自己的立场，如果他们嚣张蛮横，要直面他们，让他们承担责任。

　　

Another way you can cope with such characters is to avoid contact whenever possible. Use emails if you need to get in touch with them. People with the Dark Triad are often charming. Experts suggest that they rely on their looks to get their way.

　　

另一种应对方式则是尽可能不要接触。如果需要联系，使用电子邮件即可。有黑暗三性格之人通常也很有魅力。专家认为他们会利用自己的外貌来达成自己的目的。

　　

The Dark Triad, in conclusion, can ruin relationships. You can cope with it if you recognize it. Being assertive and savvy also helps.

　　

总之，黑暗三性格会毁坏各种关系。如果你辨识出这些性格，你就能采取措施应对。立场坚定、睿智通透也有助于应对。

　　

References

　　

https://hbr.org/2015/11/why-bad-guys-win-at-work

　　

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/insight-therapy/201708/confused-about-successful-jerks-get-know-the-dark-triad

　　

https://illimitablemen.com/2013/11/17/understanding-the-dark-triad/

　　

https://www.learning-mind.com/dark-triad-traits/