About this Research Topic
The Dark Tetrad of personality is a relatively new approach to factors considered socially aversive, including such personality constructs as subclinical psychopathy, subclinical narcissism, Machiavellianism, and sadism. The latter is a complement to the construct that has been widely discussed in the scientific literature, the Dark Triad of personality.
The issues of socially aversive traits, especially those focused on psychopathy and narcissism, have been the subject of scientific reflection by researchers for centuries. It is commonly believed that socially aversive traits are unfavorable for a person's psychological and social functioning. The results of current research seem to largely confirm this observation, but not in all cases. There are reports about the possible protective (e.g. in the case of narcissism) or developmental or business (e.g. in the case of subclinical narcissism and psychopathy) potential of dark personality traits. However, little is known about the importance of the Dark Tetrad of personality in the context of the severity of psychopathological symptoms and the psychological well-being of psychiatric patients.
The aim of this Research Topic is to expand knowledge in the field of subclinical psychopathy, subclinical narcissism, Machiavellianism, and sadism in the population of psychiatric patients, somatic patients, and healthy people, as well as the relationship between the Dark Tetrad of personality, mental state, and psychological functioning, including well-being of patients and the general population.
The Topic Editors welcome various article types, including Original Research, Reviews, Perspectives, and Case Reports, addressing the following sub-themes:
• the influence of the Dark Tetrad traits on psychopathological symptoms and psychological well-being in both clinical and non-clinical populations;
• Dark Tetrad traits and social functioning in different population groups;
• protective and developmental potential of Dark Tetrad personality traits;
• comparison of Dark Tetrad traits in somatic vs. psychiatric patients and how these traits affect their mental state and recovery processes;
• interventions and treatment approaches aimed at mitigating the negative impacts of socially aversive traits, while potentially harnessing any positive aspects for better psychological functioning and well-being.
The issues of socially aversive traits, especially those focused on psychopathy and narcissism, have been the subject of scientific reflection by researchers for centuries. It is commonly believed that socially aversive traits are unfavorable for a person's psychological and social functioning. The results of current research seem to largely confirm this observation, but not in all cases. There are reports about the possible protective (e.g. in the case of narcissism) or developmental or business (e.g. in the case of subclinical narcissism and psychopathy) potential of dark personality traits. However, little is known about the importance of the Dark Tetrad of personality in the context of the severity of psychopathological symptoms and the psychological well-being of psychiatric patients.
The aim of this Research Topic is to expand knowledge in the field of subclinical psychopathy, subclinical narcissism, Machiavellianism, and sadism in the population of psychiatric patients, somatic patients, and healthy people, as well as the relationship between the Dark Tetrad of personality, mental state, and psychological functioning, including well-being of patients and the general population.
The Topic Editors welcome various article types, including Original Research, Reviews, Perspectives, and Case Reports, addressing the following sub-themes:
• the influence of the Dark Tetrad traits on psychopathological symptoms and psychological well-being in both clinical and non-clinical populations;
• Dark Tetrad traits and social functioning in different population groups;
• protective and developmental potential of Dark Tetrad personality traits;
• comparison of Dark Tetrad traits in somatic vs. psychiatric patients and how these traits affect their mental state and recovery processes;
• interventions and treatment approaches aimed at mitigating the negative impacts of socially aversive traits, while potentially harnessing any positive aspects for better psychological functioning and well-being.
Keywords: personality, psychopathy, narcissism, Machiavellianism, sadism
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