Journals / Journal of Family Counseling and Education / 2026 / Cilt: 10 Sayı: 1

Examining the Relationship Between the Light Triad and the Dark Triad in Terms of Various Variables

Aydınlık Üçlü İle Karanlık Üçlü Arasındaki İlişkinin Çeşitli Değişkenler Açısından İncelenmesi

Pages
128–142
Publication Date
2025-07-11
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Findings revealed positive correlations among the Light Triad dimensions, with significant associations between Kantianism, Humanism, and Faith in Humanity.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study aimed to examine the relationship between the Light Triad (Humanism, Kantianism, Faith in Humanity) and the Dark Triad (Machiavellianism, Narcissism, Psychopathy) personality traits concerning various demographic variables.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Data were collected via an online survey from 495 adult participants (216 males and 279 females) aged 18 to 56.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:Findings revealed positive correlations among the Light Triad dimensions, with significant associations between Kantianism, Humanism, and Faith in Humanity.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Karanlık üçlü · aydınlık üçlü · kişilik

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the relationship between the Light Triad (Humanism, Kantianism, Faith in Humanity) and the Dark Triad (Machiavellianism, Narcissism, Psychopathy) personality traits concerning various demographic variables. Data were collected via an online survey from 495 adult participants (216 males and 279 females) aged 18 to 56. The study employed t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson Correlation Analysis to analyze the data. Findings revealed positive correlations among the Light Triad dimensions, with significant associations between Kantianism, Humanism, and Faith in Humanity. In contrast, the Light Triad and Dark Triad showed negative correlations, particularly between Humanism and both Machiavellianism and Psychopathy. Regarding gender differences, women scored higher in Humanism, whereas men had higher scores in Narcissism and Psychopathy. Additionally, single participants reported higher levels of Narcissism compared to married participants. The results suggest that the Light Triad is associated with prosocial tendencies and moral values, whereas the Dark Triad is linked to manipulation, selfishness, and strategic social advantage-seeking. These findings contribute to the understanding of how personality traits influence social behaviors and emphasize the need for further research, particularly in exploring the role of the Light Triad as a counterbalance to dark personality traits.

Özet

Bu çalışma, Aydınlık Üçlü (Hümanizm, Kantçılık, İnsanlığa İnanç) ve Karanlık Üçlü (Makyavelizm, Narsisizm, Psikopati) kişilik özellikleri arasındaki ilişkiyi çeşitli demografik değişkenler açısından incelemeyi amaçlamıştır. Veriler, 495 yetişkin katılımcıdan çevrimiçi anket yöntemiyle toplanmıştır. Verilerin analizinde T-testi, ANOVA ve Pearson Korelasyon Analizi kullanılmıştır. Bulgular, Aydınlık Üçlü boyutları arasında pozitif korelasyonlar olduğunu ve özellikle Kantçılık, Hümanizm ve İnsanlığa İnanç arasında anlamlı ilişkiler bulunduğunu göstermiştir. Buna karşılık, Aydınlık Üçlü ile Karanlık Üçlü genel olarak negatif korelasyon göstermiş, özellikle Hümanizm’in Makyavelizm ve Psikopati ile negatif ilişkili olduğu belirlenmiştir. Cinsiyet farklılıkları açısından, kadınlar Hümanizm boyutunda daha yüksek puan alırken, erkekler Narsisizm ve Psikopati boyutlarında daha yüksek puan elde etmiştir. Ayrıca, bekar katılımcıların Narsisizm düzeylerinin evli katılımcılara kıyasla daha yüksek olduğu bulunmuştur. Sonuçlar, Aydınlık Üçlü’nün prososyal eğilimler ve ahlaki değerlerle ilişkili olduğunu, Karanlık Üçlü’nün ise manipülasyon, bencillik ve stratejik sosyal avantaj arayışı ile bağlantılı olduğunu göstermektedir. Bu bulgular, kişilik özelliklerinin sosyal davranışlar üzerindeki etkilerini anlamaya katkı sağlamakta ve özellikle Aydınlık Üçlü’nün karanlık kişilik özelliklerine karşı dengeleyici bir unsur olarak rolünü inceleyen gelecekteki araştırmaların gerekliliğini vurgulamaktadır.

🔖

Cite This Article

Saptır, A. B. (2025). Examining the Relationship Between the Light Triad and the Dark Triad in Terms of Various Variables. Journal of Family Counseling and Education, Cilt: 10 Sayı: 1, 128–142. https://doi.org/10.32568/jfce.1652162

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (67)

  1. Alipour Gourand, B., Azemoudeh, M., Esmaielpour, K., & Hosseini Nasab, S. D. (2022). The relationship between dark and light triads of personality with life satisfaction mediated by value orientations. Positive Psychology Research, 5(2), 45-57. https://doi.org/10.22108/ppls.2022.131546.2227
  2. Anam, C. (2024). The relevance of Immanuel Kant's Enlightenment philosophy in human capital development. Journal of Management Research and Studies, 2(2), 192–201. https://jmrs.optima-science.com/index.php/jmrs/article/view/68
  3. Apostolou, M. (2024). The association between psychopathy and infidelity in a Greek cultural context. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 20(1), 137-150. https://akjournals.com/view/journals/2055/20/1/article-p137.xml
  4. Aslan, N., & Kartopu, S. (2021). The Relationship between the Tendencies of Religiosity and Dark Triad Personality Traits. Journal of the Faculty of Theology, 10(20), 477-531. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/gifad/issue/64106/935191
  5. Bayramoğlu, E. (2019). Karanlık üçlü kişilik özellikleri ile bağlanma stilleri arasındaki ilişkilerin incelenmesi [Examining the relationships between dark triad personality traits and attachment styles] (Unpublished master’s thesis) Maltepe University
  6. Carter, G. L., Campbell, A. C., & Muncer, S. (2014). The Dark Triad: Beyond a ‘male’mating strategy. Personality and Individual Differences, 56(5), 159-164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2013.09.001
  7. Chatterjee, S. (2014). A comparative psychosocial frame of happiness, relationship and narcissism of varied marital status of aged men. Indian Journal of Positive Psychology, 5(3). 236-244. https://doi.org/10.15614/ijpp%2F2014%2Fv5i3%2F88457
  8. Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications. https://spada.uns.ac.id/pluginfile.php/510378/mod_resource/content/1/creswell.pdf
  9. Çarpar, E. (2017). Tutuklu ve hükümlü servisine ceza sorumluluğu belirlenmesi amacıyla yatırılan olgularda antisosyal kişilik bozukluğu ve psikopati ile hekimi yanıltıcı davranış arasındaki ilişki [Relationship of malingering with psychopathy and antisocial personality disorder in convicted prisoners hospitalized for the assessment of criminal liability] (Unpublished Medical Specialization Thesis) Sağlık Bilimleri University.
  10. Dursun, A. (2023). Karanlık üçlü kişilik özelliklerine alternatif pozitif bir bakış: Aydınlık üçlü kişilik özellikleri. Gelişim ve Psikoloji Dergisi, 4(7), 44–58. https://doi.org/10.51503/gpd.1219161
  11. Er Ülker, F. (2025). Bibliometric analysis of studies on the dark tetrad. Business and Economics Research Journal, 16(1), 107-123. http://dx.doi.org/10.20409/berj.2025.459
  12. Erhan, T. (2022). Constructive deviation behavior in the context of dark and light triad personality traits: a research on aviation employees. Journal of Aviation Research, 4(1), 146-163. https://doi.org/10.51785/jar.1066310
  13. Ermis, S. A., Boyanmis, A. H., Kesilmiş, İ., Toros, T., Ogras, E. B., Akın, M., Temel, C., Gurkan, A. C., & Ocal, Y. K. (2024). Exploring the Influence of Dark Triad and Light Triad Traits on Sport Sciences Students. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), 60(8), 1269. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60081269
  14. Fopka-Kowalczyk, M. J., Krok, D., & Kocur, D. (2024). Spiritual care, compassion for others and light triad among clergy, social workers and hospice staff. Palliative Medicine in Practice, 18(3), 124–132. https://doi.org/10.5603/pmp.98543
  15. Fowers, B. J. (2012). An Aristotelian framework for the human good. Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology, 32(1), 10–23. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0025820people.miami.edu+1scholarship.miami.edu+1
  16. Furnham, A., Richards, S. C., & Paulhus, D. L. (2013). The dark triad of personality: A 10 year review. Social And Personality Psychology Compass, 7(3), 199-216. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12018
  17. Gerymski, R., & Krok, D. (2019). Psychometric properties and validation of the Polish adaptation of the Light Triad Scale. Current Issues in Personality Psychology, 7(4), 341-354. https://doi.org/10.5114/cipp.2019.92960
  18. Giorgi, G., Mancuso, S., Pérez, F. S., & Mucci, N. (2023). Emotional intelligence and empathy as key factors in human care: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 14(8), 123-132. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1339194
  19. Golec de Zavala, A., & Keenan, O. (2024). Gender and national collective narcissism: Gender asymmetries and obstacles to gender equality. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, 90(4), 565–586. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-024-01443-8
  20. Güven, İ. F. (2019). Makyavelizm ve dindarlık ilişkisi [The relationship between Machiavellianism and religiosity] (Unpublished master’s thesis) Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University.
  21. Harms, P. D., White, J. V., & Fezzey, T. N. (2024). Dark clouds on the horizon: Dark personality traits and the frontiers of the entrepreneurial economy. Journal of Business Research, 171, 114364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.114364
  22. Heym, N., Firth, J., Kibowski, F., Sumich, A., Egan, V., & Bloxsom, C. A. J. (2019). Empathy at the Heart of Darkness: Empathy Deficits That Bind the Dark Triad and Those That Mediate Indirect Relational Aggression. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10, 95. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00095
  23. Jonason, P. K., Webster, G. D., Schmitt, D. P., Li, N. P., & Crysel, L. (2012). The antihero in popular culture: Life history theory and the Dark Triad personality traits. Review of General Psychology, 16(2), 192–199. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0027914
  24. Jones, D. N., & Paulhus, D. L. (2014). Introducing the Short Dark Triad (SD3): A brief measure of dark personality traits. Assessment, 21(1), 28–41. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191113514105
  25. Kajonius, P. J., Persson, B. N., Rosenberg, P., & Garcia, D. (2015). Hedonism, achievement, and power: Universal values that characterize the Dark Triad. Personality and Individual Differences, 77(7), 173–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2014.12.055
  26. Kaufman, S. B., Yaden, D. B., Hyde, E., & Tsukayama, E. (2019). The light vs. dark triad of personality: Contrasting two very different profiles of human nature. Frontiers in Psychology, 10(8), 467-475. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00467
  27. Kavak, B., & Naldöken, Ü. (2024). Light Triad personality traits among healthcare professionals: A state hospital case study. Eurasian Journal of Health Sciences, 7(2), 113-122. https://doi.org/10.53493/avrasyasbd.1455384
  28. Khan, I. U., Safdar, U. K., & Durrani, M. Z. (2021). The Light Triad traits, psychological empowerment, creative self-efficacy, self-resilience and innovative performance in ICT of Pakistan. Gomal University Journal of Research, 37(3), 297–310. https://doi.org/10.51380/gujr-37-03-05
  29. Kılıç, S. (2013). Sampling methods. Journal of Mood Disorders, 3(1), 44–46. https://doi.org/10.5455/jmood.20130325011730
  30. Kordbagheri, M., Bagheri, S. M., Heris, N. J., Matbouraftar, P., Azarian, M., & Mousavi, S. M. (2024). The mediating role of psychological well-being in the relationship between the light triad of personality and sense of concordance with treatment adherence in patients with type 2 diabetes: A network analysis and structural equation modeling study. Acta Psychologica, 248, 104361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104361
  31. Krok, D., & Tkaczyk, J. (2024). The Light vs. Dark Triad and compassion for others: The mediating role of inner harmony among teachers. Archives of Psychiatry & Psychotherapy, 26(3). https://doi.org/10.12740/APP/183678
  32. Landa-Blanco, M., Herrera, T., Espinoza, H., Girón, K., Moncada, S., & Cortés-Ramos, A. (2024). The impact of benevolent childhood experiences on adult flourishing: The mediating role of Light Triad traits. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1320169. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1320169
  33. Lobbestael, J., Baumeister, R. F., Fiebig, T., & Eckel, L. A. (2014). The role of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism in self-reported and laboratory aggression and testosterone reactivity. Personality and Individual Differences, 69(5), 22-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2014.05.019
  34. Lukić, P., & Živanović, M. (2021). Shedding light on the Light Triad: Further evidence on structural, construct, and predictive validity of the Light Triad. Personality and Individual Differences, 178, 110876. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2021.110876
  35. Malik, O.F., Shahzad, A., Waheed, A. & Yousaf, Z. (2020), Abusive supervision as a trigger of malevolent creativity: do the Light Triad traits matter?. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 41(8), 1119-1137. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-09-2019-0386
  36. March, E., & Marrington, J. Z. (2021). Antisocial and prosocial online behaviour: Exploring the roles of the Dark and Light Triads. Current Psychology, 3(40), 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-01552-7
  37. McDonald, B., & Kanske, P. (2023). Gender differences in empathy, compassion, and prosocial donations, but not theory of mind in a naturalistic social task. Scientific Reports, 13, Article 20748. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-47747-9
  38. McLarnon, M. J. W. (2022). Into the heart of darkness: A person-centered exploration of the Dark Triad. Personality and Individual Differences, 186(Part A), Article 111354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2021.111354
  39. Mejía-Suazo, C. J., Landa-Blanco, M., Mejía-Suazo, G. A., & Martínez, C. A. M. (2021). Dark and light triad: relationship between personality traits and addiction to mobile phones, video games and internet. PsyArXiv, 6(7), 67-77. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/dp659
  40. Moshagen, M., Hilbig, B. E., & Zettler, I. (2018). The dark core of personality. Psychological Review, 125(5), 656–688. https://doi.org/10.1037/rev0000111
  41. Nadeau, M. M., Caporale‐Berkowitz, N. A., & Rochlen, A. B. (2021). Improving women's self‐compassion through an online program: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Counseling & Development, 99(1), 47-59. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12350
  42. Navas, M. P., Maneiro, L., Cutrín, O., Gómez-Fraguela, J. A., & Sobral, J. (2020). Associations between Dark Triad and Ambivalent Sexism: Sex Differences among Adolescents. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(21), 7754-7765. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17217754
  43. Ng, N. L., Neumann, C. S., Luke, D. M., & Gawronski, B. (2024). Associations of aversive (‘dark’) traits and affiliative (‘light’) traits with moral-dilemma judgments: A preregistered exploratory analysis using the CNI model. Journal of Research in Personality, 109, 104450. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2023.104450
  44. Overton, S. C. (2022). Personality traits in the workplace: Examining the Light Triad and its relationship with job satisfaction. (Unpublished master’s thesis) Murray State University. https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1138&context=honorstheses
  45. Özsoy, E., & Ardıç, K. (2017). Examining the effect of the Dark Triad (narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy) on job satisfaction. Journal of Management and Economics, 24(2), 391-406. https://doi.org/10.18657/yonveek.297733
  46. Özsoy, E., Rauthmann, J. F., Jonason, P. K., & Ardıç, K. (2017). Reliability and validity of the Turkish versions of Dark Triad Dirty Dozen (DTDD-T), Short Dark Triad (SD3-T), and Single Item Narcissism Scale (SINS-T). Personality and Individual Differences, 117(9), 11-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2017.05.019
  47. Paulhus, D. L., & Williams, K. M. (2002). The dark triad of personality: Narcissism, machiavellianism and psychopathy. Journal of Research in Personality, 36(6), 556-563. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0092-6566(02)00505-6
  48. Paulhus, D. L., Curtis, S. R., & Jones, D. N. (2018). Aggression as a trait: the Dark Tetrad alternative. Current Opinion Psychology, 19(6), 88–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.04.007
  49. Pektaş, S., & Durmuş, G. (2022). Adaptation of the Light Triad Scale into Turkish: Validity and reliability study. Akdeniz Journal of Sports Sciences, 5(3), 56-78. https://doi.org/10.38021/asbid.1167809
  50. Peterson, R. D., & Palmer, C. L. (2021). The dark is rising: contrasting the dark triad and light triad on measures of political ambition and participation. Frontiers in Political Science, 3(60), 123-333. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpos.2021.657750
  51. Pfattheicher, S. (2016). Testosterone, cortisol and the Dark Triad: Narcissism (but not Machiavellianism or psychopathy) is positively related to basal testosterone and cortisol. Personality and Individual Differences, 97(8), 115-119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.03.020
  52. Ramos-Vera, C., O'Diana, A. G., Villena, A. S., Bonfá-Araujo, B., de Oliveira Barros, L., Noronha, A. P. P.,. & Adeniyi, E. A. (2023). Dark and light triad: a cross-cultural comparison of network analysis in 5 countries. Personality and Individual Differences, 215, 112377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2023.112377
  53. Richardson, E. N., & Boag, S. (2016). Offensive defenses: The mind beneath the mask of the dark triad traits. Personality and Individual Differences, 92(6), 148–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2015.12.039
  54. Rico-Bordera, P., Pineda, D., Galán, M., & Piqueras, J. A. (2025). Assessing the dark personality traits with observer reports: A meta-analysis of inter-rater agreement on the Dark Triad and Dark Tetrad traits. Personality and Mental Health, 19(1), e1639. https://doi.org/10.1002/pmh.1639
  55. Robinson, S., & Lewandowski, G. (2025). Is the Light Triad really that light? The Light Triad's role in relationship savior complex. Modern Psychological Studies, 30(2), 47-55. https://scholar.utc.edu/mps/vol30/iss2/4/
  56. Rodríguez, E. A., Agüero-Flores, M., Landa-Blanco, M., Agurcia, D. G., & Santos-Midence, C. (2021). Moral Injury and light triad traits: anxiety and depression in health-care personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. PsyArXiv, 4(5), 46-65. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/42a3p.
  57. Spałek, S. (2023). The light triad moral dimension and resilience as predictors of health behaviors among COVID-19 convalescents. Teologia i Moralność, 18(1 (33)), 253-267. https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=1127422
  58. Stump, E., & Kretzmann, N. (1988). Being and goodness. In T. V. Morris (Ed.), Divine and human action: Essays in the metaphysics of theism (pp. 281–312). Cornell University Press. https://doi.org/10.7591/9781501746123-011philpapers.org+2degruyter.com+2philpapers.org+2
  59. Taylor, S. E., Klein, L. C., Lewis, B. P., Gruenewald, T. L., Gurung, R. A., & Updegraff, J. A. (2000). Biobehavioral responses to stress in females: tend-and-befriend, not fight-or-flight. Psychological Review, 107(3), 411–429. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295x.107.3.411
  60. Tekeş, B., & Bıçaksız, P. (2021). Evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Light Triad Scale. AYNA Journal of Clinical Psychology, 8(3), 535-556. https://doi.org/10.31682/ayna.871395
  61. Vural, G. B. (2023). Karanlık üçlü kişilik özellikleri ile örgütsel sinizm ve bilgi saklama davranışı arasındaki ilişkilerin incelenmesi [Examining the relationships between dark triad personality traits, organizational cynicism and information hiding behavior] (Unpublished master’s thesis) Maltepe University.
  62. Way, N., Cressen, J., Bodian, S., Preston, J., Nelson, J., & Hughes, D. (2014). "It might be nice to be a girl. Then you wouldn’t have to be emotionless": Boys' resistance to norms of masculinity during adolescence. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 15(3), 241–252. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0037262
  63. Welker, K. M., Lozoya, E., Campbell, J. A., Neumann, C. S., & Carré, J. M. (2014). Testosterone, cortisol, and psychopathic traits in men and women. Physiology & Behavior, 129(7), 230-236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2014.02.057
  64. Yıldırım, B. O., & Derksen, J. J. (2012). A review on the relationship between testosterone and the interpersonal/affective facet of psychopathy. Psychiatry Research, 197(3), 181-198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2012.02.023
  65. Yılmazer, T., Karagöz, Ş., Uzunbacak, H. H., & Akçakanat, T. (2021). A research on the relationship between the dark triad personality, psychological entitlement, relative deprivation and turnover ıntention. Journal Title, 25(3), 597-622. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352090648
  66. Ramos-Vera, C., O'Diana, A. G., Villena, A. S., Bonfá-Araujo, B., de Oliveira Barros, L., Noronha, A. P. P.,. & Adeniyi, E. A. (2023). Dark and light triad: a cross-cultural comparison of network analysis in 5 countries. Personality and Individual Differences, 215, 112377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2023.112377
  67. Way, N., Cressen, J., Bodian, S., Preston, J., Nelson, J., & Hughes, D. (2014). "It might be nice to be a girl. Then you wouldn’t have to be emotionless": Boys' resistance to norms of masculinity during adolescence. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 15(3), 241–252. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0037262