ASSIGNMENT #1: THE “DARK TRIAD”
Submit to: The Assignment 1 submission folder. Submission folders can be accessed by clicking Course Tools and then Assignments on the course navigation bar.
Grading – 25% of your final grade in the course.
Description
In the course content, we addressed what is called the “dark triad”. This is a combination of narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism.
Here is an excerpt of text from the course content that describes these personalities.
Narcissists are “grandiose self-promoters who continually crave attention.” Machiavellians are “master manipulators” and generally score higher on tests of manipulativeness than do narcissists, Psychopaths are generally highly intelligent and can easily fool people around them, thus encouraging people to trust them so achieve their own outcomes. They often do harm to others as they go about seeking thrills with little concern for who gets hurt along the way.
People high on dark triad traits are not typically nice to be around and can be very emotionally damaging in romantic relationships.
The scary part is that people who are high on these dark triad traits are often socially talented and make very good first impressions. Because of this, they do better on job interviews. They possess a reduced concern for how others see them and have a greater willingness to show off their strengths while seeming composed and comfortable. In a longitudinal study of personality traits and career success, those high in the dark triad traits were more likely to move up the corporate ladder, thus earning higher salaries. They even did better than more conscientious counterparts.
For example, Donald Trump is often said to reflect all three traits. Find an analysis of Trump and the Dark Triad traits on this website below. You may not use Trump for this assignment!
Geher, G. (2016). Donald Trump as high in the dark triad: Trump as narcissistic, Machiavellian, and high in psychopathy. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/darwins-subterranean-world/201608/donald-trump-high-in-the-dark-triad
For assignment # 1, I would like you to find a celebrity or a historical figure (this can be an actor, politician, or any other famous person) that you feel fits the “dark triad” description. Remember, you may not use Trump, as he was the example! In your eyes, they must possess all three personality traits of Narcissism, Psychopathy and Machiavellianism. You can locate this individual online, via newspaper articles or through any other source you find appropriate.
Once you have chosen your “dark triad” individual, I would like you to comment on the following (please respond in full sentences):
1. Provide an image of this individual.
2. Why did you choose this person? In other words, describe why you think they fit this personality type. Be sure to include information related to their accomplishments, any controversies surrounding this person, and even their relationships (e.g., break ups, family relationships) that support your opinion. Refer to specific information found to highlight why they fit the dark triad. E.g., what they have done to those around them, actions that reflect certain traits etc. (1-2 paragraphs).
3. Do you think that this person may be higher on one trait more so than the other(s)? E.g., Are they more narcissistic than psychopathic? Why or why not? Be sure to mention specific traits that align to support your response. E.g., I feel this way because they exhibit this… which is a trait that is most associated with …They are less likely to exhibit the following behaviours or attitudes, which indicates that they might be lower on … (1-2 paragraphs).
4. Theorize what it would be like to interact with your chosen individual in a variety of relationships (as a co-worker, as a supervisor, as a friend, as a romantic partner, as a family member). Next, give examples of how your chosen individual might act, speak, think, and the effect each of these might have on you as a person. (2-3 paragraphs).
Rationale
This assignment will evaluate the following course learning outcomes:
• Define the narcissistic personality (subclinical).
• Using trait perspectives on personality development, compare and contrast narcissism, psychopathy and machiavellianism.
Directions
Please download and use this template for your assignment. Please write in Times New Roman or Calibri and double space your work. Please write your responses directly below each question listed in this document.
Please submit your final assignment # 1 to the dropbox in eConestoga. Please use the following naming format for your assignment submission – First initial, Last Name, Course Code and Section, and Assignment. E.g., JSMITH_LIBS1085_2_Assignment1.
How Your Assignment Will be Graded
A rubric has been created and can be found attached to the submission folder. Submission folders can be accessed by clicking Course Tools and then Assignments on the course navigation bar.
Before you start this assignment, fill in the following below:
Student First and Last Name
Student Number
Assignment Date
*you can find your section at the top of the screen in eConestoga when you are logged into LIBS 1085. This example shows SEC1 or section 1.
1. Provide an image of this individual below. Copy and paste an image below.
2. Why did you choose this person? In other words, describe why you think they fit this personality type. Be sure to include information related to their accomplishments, any controversies surrounding this person, and even their relationships (e.g., break ups, family relationships) that support your opinion. Refer to specific information found to highlight why they fit the dark triad. E.g., what they have done to those around them, actions that reflect certain traits etc. (1-2 paragraphs). Feel free to write directly in the text box provided. If necessary, you can expand the box by selecting the bottom middle of the box with your cursor and dragging it down.
3. Do you think that this person may be higher on one trait more so than the other(s)? E.g., Are they more narcissistic than psychopathic? Why or why not? Be sure to mention specific traits that align to support your response. E.g., I feel this way because they exhibit this… which is a trait that is most associated with …They are less likely to exhibit the following behaviours or attitudes, which indicates that they might be lower on … (1-2 paragraphs)
4. Theorize what it would be like to interact with your chosen individual in a variety of relationships (as a co-worker, as a supervisor, as a friend, as a romantic partner, as a family member). Next, give examples of how your chosen individual might act, speak, think, and the effect each of these might have on you as a person. (2-3 paragraphs).
