Most people have heard of the “Dark Triad” personality traits — narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy.
However, a lesser-known concept, the “Dark Tetrad,” adds a fourth trait into the mix: sadism. People with these traits tend to be manipulative, self-absorbed, and lacking in empathy, and they tend to use everyone for their own gain without remorse. While not everyone with these traits is dangerous, they can be really hard to deal with in relationships, at work, or in your social circle. What’s worse is that they’re not always obvious at first, meaning people with these qualities often cause a lot of damage before they get caught. Here’s what you need to know to hopefully stay a few steps ahead.
1. Narcissism: A need for admiration and superiority
Narcissism is one of the most well-known traits in the Dark Tetrad. It involves an inflated sense of self-importance, a craving for attention, and a belief that they are special or better than everyone. These people tend to exaggerate their accomplishments and expect constant admiration.
While some level of confidence is healthy, Dark Tetrad narcissists take it to extremes, often dismissing other people’s feelings and expecting admiration without earning it. They struggle to handle criticism and will do whatever it takes to maintain their image. They also tend to pursue relationships where they can be in control, often choosing people who are easy to manipulate or highly empathetic to feed their need for attention.
2. Machiavellianism: Manipulation for personal gain
People high in Machiavellianism are master manipulators. They view relationships as a way to get what they want, whether it’s power, money, or influence. Unlike impulsive psychopaths, Machiavellians are patient and calculated in their approach. They don’t act without a purpose — every move they make is strategic.
They often appear charming and strategic, using deception and flattery to achieve their goals. If they do something kind, it’s rarely out of genuine care—it’s because it benefits them in some way. This makes them particularly dangerous in workplaces, as they know how to play office politics to their advantage while appearing innocent. Their ability to manipulate without being detected is what makes them one of the most difficult Dark Tetrad personalities to deal with.
3. Psychopathy: Lack of empathy and emotional depth
Psychopathy is marked by a lack of emotional connection with people, a disregard for right and wrong, and a tendency toward impulsive behaviour. Unlike Machiavellians, who plan their manipulations, psychopaths are more reckless and thrill-seeking. They don’t always think about long-term consequences, focusing instead on what benefits them in the moment.
They often struggle with empathy, meaning they don’t feel guilt or remorse for hurting people. This makes them capable of extreme behaviour, especially when they feel like they can get away with it. In social settings, they may come across as charming at first, but their inability to form deep emotional bonds eventually reveals their true nature. Some psychopaths enjoy causing chaos just for the thrill of it, making them highly unpredictable and dangerous in both personal and professional environments.
4. Sadism: Enjoying when other people suffer
The addition of sadism is what separates the Dark Tetrad from the Dark Triad. While narcissists, Machiavellians, and psychopaths manipulate for personal gain, sadists actually enjoy causing harm. Unlike psychopaths, who may be indifferent to other people’s pain, sadists actively look for opportunities to inflict it.
They might take pleasure in humiliating people, making people uncomfortable, or even physically hurting someone. They often gravitate toward positions of power where they can exert control over people, such as law enforcement, management roles, or even social media spaces where they can belittle people behind the safety of a screen. Their cruelty isn’t accidental—it’s intentional, and they thrive on it. Some sadists get their satisfaction from emotional harm rather than physical, choosing to humiliate or manipulate rather than physically hurt someone.
5. A lack of guilt or remorse
One of the most dangerous aspects of the Dark Tetrad personality is the complete absence of guilt. These people don’t feel bad for lying, cheating, or hurting anyone; they often see it as justified or even amusing. They view their actions as necessary for their own success, no matter the consequences.
Because of this, they rarely take responsibility for their actions. Instead, they push the blame onto other people, or simply move on without looking back. If confronted, they may act confused or deny wrongdoing altogether, making them incredibly frustrating to deal with. In relationships, they will gaslight their partners into believing they are overreacting or imagining things, making it difficult for victims to trust their own judgment.
6. A tendency to exploit people
People with Dark Tetrad traits see relationships as opportunities for personal gain. They don’t form genuine emotional bonds, but instead view people as tools to be used. If they see a chance to benefit from someone—whether financially, socially, or emotionally—they won’t hesitate to take advantage.
They may pretend to care or be affectionate, but their ultimate goal is control. Once they’ve got what they want, they often discard people without a second thought. The pattern repeats itself in their friendships, romantic relationships, and even professional connections. They see people as disposable, which is why they often struggle to maintain long-term relationships or careers.
7. Charm that masks their true intentions
Not everyone with these traits is outwardly cruel or intimidating. Many Dark Tetrad personalities are incredibly charming, using charisma to lure people in before revealing their true nature. Their ability to read people allows them to adapt to different situations, making them seem likeable and trustworthy at first.
They know how to say the right things, present themselves as confident and successful, and gain trust quickly. But beneath the surface, their kindness is often calculated rather than genuine. Their charm makes them particularly effective in social circles, as they can manipulate people into seeing them as trustworthy allies rather than the dangerous people they truly are.
8. A love for power and control
Dark Tetrad personalities thrive in situations where they can dominate people, whether that’s in personal relationships, workplaces, or social circles. They pursue leadership positions not to help people, but to wield authority and manipulate outcomes. If they aren’t in a position of power, they often feel frustrated or look for ways to exert influence in other ways.
They may also enjoy mind games, gaslighting, or making people doubt themselves as a way to maintain control. Their need for dominance often overrides any sense of fairness or ethics. They believe that rules are meant for everyone else, not for them, and will break them without hesitation if it benefits them.
9. Impulsivity and risk-taking behaviour
While Machiavellian personalities tend to be more calculated, the psychopathic and sadistic traits in a Dark Tetrad personality can make them reckless. They often look for thrills, whether that’s through risky financial decisions, illegal activities, or even dangerous stunts. The need for excitement and dominance makes them prone to impulsive and destructive actions.
Because they don’t fear consequences in the same way most people do, they may act on impulse without worrying about the fallout. This can make them unpredictable and hard to trust. Their thrill-seeking behaviour often puts them at odds with other people, as they have little concern for the impact of their actions on those around them.
10. A lack of long-term emotional connections
While Dark Tetrad people may be great at forming quick connections, they struggle to maintain deep, lasting relationships. Their manipulative tendencies and lack of empathy eventually push people away. Even when they manage to keep people around, their relationships are often shallow and transactional.
They may cycle through friends, romantic partners, or colleagues, leaving a trail of damaged relationships behind them. Instead of working through conflict or making meaningful connections, they prefer to move on and start over with a new “target.” Their relationships are based on what they can get, not genuine emotional bonds.
