title: Searching for a vulnerable dark triad: comparing Factor 2 psychopathy, vulnerable narcissism, and borderline personality disorder.
abstract: Paulhus and Williams (2002) identified a "Dark Triad" comprising the following related personality styles: narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism. The heterogeneity found in narcissism and psychopathy raises the possibility of a second triad made up of emotional vulnerability and dark traits (i.e., the vulnerable dark triad; VDT). Along with vulnerable narcissism and Factor 2 psychopathy, the third member of the hypothesized VDT is borderline personality disorder (BPD). Using a sample of 361 undergraduates, we examine the relations between these constructs and their relations with criterion variables, including personality, environmental etiological factors (e.g., abuse), and current functioning (e.g., psychopathology, affect). The results suggest that the VDT constructs are significantly related to one another and manifest similar nomological networks, particularly vulnerable narcissism and BPD. Although the VDT members are related to negative emotionality and antagonistic interpersonal styles, they are also related to introversion and disinhibition. Ultimately, it seems there is a "dark continuum" of pathological personality traits that differ primarily in relation to negative and positive emotionality and disinhibition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-3013, USA. jdmiller@uga.edu
authors.forename: Joshua D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Ally
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dir
authors.forename: Brittany
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gentile
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Lauren R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Pryor
authors.forename: W Keith
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Campbell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008257:Machiavellianism; D008297:Male; D009289:Narcissism; D011581:Psychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012928:Social Desirability; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013694:Temperament; D055815:Young Adult