UNDERSTAND THE BEHAVIOUR.
RECOGNISE THE PATTERNS.
RECLAIM YOUR CLARITY!
When you have been repeatedly dismissed, confused, or controlled, it can become difficult to discern what is real.
The following psychological assessments are internationally recognized instruments used to identify specific personality traits such as narcissism, psychopathy, and manipulative behaviour.
They are presented here for educational and awareness purposes, to assist individuals seeking to better understand the dynamics they may be experiencing in a relationship.
Before You Begin
One of the most effective ways to assess personality traits including those associated with narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism (collectively known as the Dark Triad) is through psychometric testing.
These assessments are designed to evaluate an individual’s personality structure, emotional intelligence, and behavioural tendencies using scientifically validated methods. They serve as a valuable tool for both personal insight and academic research.
Reasons to Take These Tests:
1. For Self-Reflection and Personal Insight
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Identify behavioural patterns: These instruments can help individuals recognize tendencies such as a heightened need for admiration (narcissism), strategic manipulation (Machiavellianism), or diminished empathy (psychopathy).
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Promote self-awareness: Understanding where you fall on certain personality spectrums can foster greater self-regulation and growth. For instance, recognizing a narcissistic tendency to dominate conversations can encourage more balanced communication.
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Improve relationships: Insight into personality traits can enhance interpersonal understanding — both in recognising one’s own patterns and in observing them in others. This awareness can clarify relationship dynamics, conflict patterns, and communication styles.
2. For Research and Study
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Explore personality and social psychology: Instruments such as the NPI and PPI-R were originally developed for research purposes, to examine how various personality traits influence behaviour and social interaction.
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Understand broader human tendencies: Psychologists often use these tools to study the Dark Triad (narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy) and its conceptual counterpart, the Light Triad (humanism, faith in humanity, and moral integrity).
Important Note***
Since you are familiar with your partner’s behaviour and responses, you may find it helpful to take these tests as though your partner were the one answering.
Psychometric tools are valuable because they are grounded in scientific principles and can provide insight into personality traits that may not be immediately apparent through observable actions or day-to-day conduct.
Narcissistic Personality Inventory
This is an interactive version of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory.
Introduction: Narcissism in personality trait generally conceived of as excessive self-love. In Greek mythology Narcissus was a man who fell in love with his reflection in a pool of water. The NPI was developed by Raskin and Hall (1979) for the measurement of narcissism as a personality trait in social psychological research. It is based on the definition of narcissistic personality disorder found in the DSM-III, but is not a diagnostic tool for NPD and instead measures subclinical or normal expressions of narcissism. So, even someone who gets the highest possible score on the NPI does not necessarily have NPD.
Procedure: The test consists of forty pairs of statements. For each pair you should select the one that you feel best reflects your personality. It should take most people five to ten minutes to complete.
Disclaimer: Your use of this assessment must be strictly for educational purposes. It cannot be taken as psychological advice of any kind. If you are interested in anything more than learning about narcissism and how it is assessed, do not take this test. Also, your answers will be anonymously recorded and possibly used for research or otherwise distributed.
Dark Triad Personality Test
This is interactive version of the Short Dark Triad (SD-3), which measures the three traits of Machiavellianism, Narcissism, and Psychopathy.
Introduction:The dark triad personality traits are three closely related yet independent personality traits that all have a somewhat malevolent connotation. The three traits are machiavellianism (a manipulative attitude), narcissism (excessive self-love), and psychopathy (lack of empathy). The dark triad has traditionally been assessed with three tests different tests, each of which had been developed individually. Most commonly, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) was used as the measure of narcissism, the MACH-IV for machiavellianism and the Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (SRP) for psychopathy. Format differences between these (multiple choice versus scale rating) complicated administration and analysis. The Short Dark Triad was developed in 2011 by Delroy Paulhus and Daniel Jones to provide a more uniform assessment and also to trim down the total length.
Procedure: The test consists of twenty seven statements that must be rated on how much you agree with them. The median time to complete is 2 minutes 27 seconds. Results are free.
Disclaimer: Your use of this assessment must be strictly for educational purposes. It can not be taken as psychological advice of any kind. If you are interested in anything more than learning about the dark triad of personality and how it is assessed, do not take this test. Your answers will be recorded and possibly used for research and/or otherwise distributed in an anonymous fashion.
Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale
This is interactive version of the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale, a test of sociopathy.
Introduction: Psychopathy is a personality disorder characterized by a lack of empathy for others. The LSRP was developed in 1995 for use in psychological research. It measures on two scales: primary psychopathy (psychopathic emotional affect) and secondary psychopathy (psychopathic lifestyle).
Procedure: The test consists of twenty six statements that could possibly apply to you. You must rate each on how much you agree with it on a scale of (1) strongly disagree (2) disagree (3) neither agree nor disagree (4) agree (5) strongly agree. Most people will will complete the test in five minutes or so.
Disclaimer: This test is offered only for educational use. It is not a diagnostic tool or psychological advice of any kind. Additionally, survey responses on this implementation may be recorded for research purposes.
Psychopathy Test
This test is for anyone interested in assessing themselves for signs of psychopathy
Psychopathy is a personality trait characterized by a lack of empathy, blunted emotions, and manipulative, callous behaviour; someone high in psychopathy may be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder, a related condition. Take this test to see where you fall on the psychopathy spectrum. This test is for anyone interested in assessing themselves for signs of psychopathy.
Disclaimer: This test is designed for adults and is not intended to be diagnostic.
PPI-R
(Psychopathic Personality Inventory–Revised)
There is a personality test to diagnose psychopathy in adults.
The test is called PPI-R (Psychopathic Personality Inventory–Revised), and it was originally developed by Scott Lilienfeld and Brian Andrews to evaluate certain character traits in noncriminal populations.
The PPI-R test reveals eight specific factors:
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Machiavellian Egocentricity - a lack of empathy and sense of detachment from others for the sake of achieving one’s own goals.
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Social Influence - the ability to charm and fool others.
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Cold-heartedness - a distinct lack of emotion, guilt, or regard for others’ feelings.
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Carefree Disorganization - difficulty in planning ahead and considering the consequences of one’s actions.
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Fearlessness - an eagerness for risk-seeking behaviours, as well as a lack of the fear that normally goes with them.
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Blame Externalization - inability to take responsibility for one’s actions, instead blaming others or rationalizing one’s own deviant behaviour.
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Rebellious Nonconformity - a disregard for social norms and socially acceptable behaviours.
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Stress Immunity - a lack of typical reactions to traumatic or otherwise stress-inducing events.
Understanding the Insights
These assessments are designed to enhance awareness, not to assign labels.
A high score in any domain should be viewed as an indicator of behavioural patterns, not a diagnosis or confirmation of a disorder.
The purpose is to give language and structure to experiences that may otherwise feel confusing or invalidating.