06-07-2024, 02:06 AM
Psychopaths, Narcissists, Machiavellians, Toxic Leaders, Coercive Controllers: Subsets of One Overarching ‘Dark’ Personality Type? - Full Dissertation Thesis by Karen Mitchell
A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy
https://researchbank.swinburne.edu.au/fi...thesis.pdf
Whilst men [and women] are linked together, they easily and speedily communicate
the alarm of any evil design. They are enabled to fathom it with common counsel, and
to oppose it with united strength. Whereas, when they lie dispersed, without concert,
order, or discipline, communication is uncertain, counsel difficult, and resistance
impracticable. (Burke, 1770/1999)
Abstract
People who actively violate social norms and harm and disadvantage others by conscious choice have been the focus of research for centuries. Psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism, collectively the dark triad or dark personality (DP), are conceptualisations intended to give meaning to the characteristics common to socially aversive personalities. Behavioural researchers in fields such as toxic leadership, coercive control in domestic violence, cults, and child sex abuse in religion also explore the characteristics of those who are socially aversive.
There is, however, substantial dissention regarding shared attributes of those who are socially aversive, resulting in considerable ongoing friction and fragmentation in the field.
This is neither in the interests of humankind, as identification of human predators is key to survival, nor in the interests of researchers who are committing time and resources to
vastly conflicting ideas.
A model is presented in this thesis which appears to represent the nature of socially aversive personalities, people of DP, more comprehensively than any existing model or collection of behaviours. This three-dimensional model, the Persistent Predatory Personality (PPP) model, includes attributes, an arsenal of weaponry (tactics), and differentiating features (capabilities and values), which emerged from the data.
The thesis aims to identify common threads of research, resolve longstanding issues of dispute, and further clarify shared attributes of people of DP. New and unique approaches
to research in the area and highly knowledgeable research populations not previously canvassed for data were engaged to achieve this aim. The data, which are extensive and
highly nuanced, clarify longstanding points of contention in the DP literature.
An important and unique finding from the data is that people of DP who are higher functioning and engage in more covert forms of harm are equally as dangerous and sadistic, and share the same attributes, as those who commit overt acts of harm such as murder. iii
The data were collected internationally from 57 senior expert practitioners cumulatively representing more than a thousand years, and individually an average of 22 years, of direct,
continuous experience with multiple people of DP and their targets/victims. Research participants were drawn from both forensic and nonforensic contexts and include religious leaders, medical specialists, executives, profilers including FBI and law
enforcement, and forensic and nonforensic mental health professionals working with cults, Death Row prisoners, coercive control, and intimate partner violence perpetrators and victims,
and others, including world-leading academics. Data were collected via multiple interviews and the Delphi survey technique.
This thesis presents a model that is potentially the most comprehensive and nuanced
representation yet developed of adult people who actively violate social norms and harm and
disadvantage others by conscious choice, socially aversive personalities.
The breadth and depth of harm imposed by people who actively violate social norms
and harm and disadvantage others by conscious choice (dark personality; DP), including
psychopaths, narcissists, and Machiavellians, is substantial and impacts millions of people
daily in the most painful and destructive of ways.
Those of DP who remain outside the prison system may not only outnumber the
institutionalised populations but also be more broadly dangerous and harmful to society
People of DP who are higher functioning are, however, more difficult to identify as their
actions intended to cause harm are generally covert and less likely to leave evidence. They
are well able to project an image of ‘normal’ (Babiak & Hare, 2019) and engage in well-
meaning platforms such as medicine, domestic violence prevention, teaching, and religion to
further avert exposure. In addition, they powerfully and convincingly undermine those who try
to expose them.
It is therefore counterproductive and harmful that substantial contention still exists in
the academic literature about the shared attributes of those who actively violate social norms
and harm and disadvantage others by conscious choice
Table of Contents
Abstract ii
Acknowledgements iv
Declaration vi
Table of Contents vii
List of Tables xvi
List of Figures xvii
List of Abbreviations xviii
Chapter 1 Overview 1
11 Thesis Outline 1
12 Research Aims 6
13 Contribution to Knowledge and Other Benefits of the Research 7
14 How Is This Research Approach Original? 11
15 The Evolution of Dark Personality Conceptualisations 12
Chapter 2 Literature Review, Critical Analysis, and Fact-Finding Discussions With International
Thought Leaders 18
21 Introduction 18
211
The Breadth of Existing Literature 18
212
Fact-Finding Discussions With Key International Thought Leaders 19
22 Conflicting Models and Assessment Tools for People of Dark Personality 21
23 Research Approach Issues in Existing Research That Contribute to Contention 28
231
Introduction 28
232
Historical Factors 28
233
Extensive Use of Items From Early Dark Personality Assessment Tools in Ongoing
Research 29
viii
234
Issues With Research Tools 29
235
Issues With Study Populations 30
236
Researcher-Centric Issues 31
237
The Differing and Conflicting Ideas of Personality Researchers 35
24 Areas of Contention Regarding Attributes of People of Dark Personality 38
241 The Fundamental Nature of People of Dark Personality 39
242 Control, Power, and Dominance 41
243 Impulsiveness vs Strategic Orientation 43
244 Sexuality and Sexual Expression 45
245 Transparency and Information 48
246 Grooming and Impression Management 49
247
Sadism 51
248 Instrumental Aggression and the Use of Intimidation 52
249 Victim Vulnerability, Target Choice, and Predation 53
25 Conclusion: Literature Review 54
Chapter 3 Research Approach 56
31 Introduction 56
32 The Research Problem 57
321
Overview 57
322
Silo-ism Among Research Fields: A Case Study 57
33 Research Questions and Parameters 59
34 Research Philosophy and Theory 61
341
Introduction 61
342
The Pragmatist Research Theory 62
343
The Value of the Pragmatic Research Theory: A Professional Anecdote 63
35 Research Methodology and Methods 66
ix
351 Introduction 66
352
Research Methodology and Methods Chosen for This Project: The Semistructured
Interview and the Delphi Survey Technique 68
353
Semistructured Interviews 70
354
The Delphi Survey Technique 71
36 Best Practice in the Chosen Research Methods 72
361
Introduction 72
362
Best Practice in the Semistructured Interview 73
363
Best Practice in the Delphi Survey Technique 74
3631
Administration and Timing 74
3632
Participant Selection and Approach 75
3633
Pilot Testing 76
3634
Number of Delphi Survey Technique Research Rounds 76
3635
The Delphi Technique Survey Instrument 77
3636
Participant Engagement 78
3637
Data Analysis 79
3638
Examples of Delphi Survey Technique Use 80
37 The Research Population 82
371
Introduction 82
372
Participant Numbers (Sample Size) 83
373
Participant Identification, Selection, Recruitment, and Vetting 85
3731
Introduction 85
3732
Participant Identification 86
3733
Approaching Potential Research Participants 87
3734
Vetting Research Participants 88
3735
Research Participant Categories 94
x
38 Research Implementation and Data Analysis 98
381
Introduction 98
382
Stage 1 of Data Collection: Semistructured Interviews 101
383
Stage 2 of Data Collection: Delphi Survey 101
384
Revision of Delphi Survey Technique Process 105
385
Stage 1 of Data Analysis (Survey Section 1): Data Transfer Thematic Analysis 106
386
Stage 2 of Data Analysis (Survey Section 1): Word/Phrase Synonym Thematic Analysis
109
387
Stage 3 of Data Collection: Postsurvey Semistructured Interviews 110
388
Stage 3 of Data Analysis: Triangulated Thematic Analysis 113
389
Stage 4 of Data Analysis: Word/Phrase Synonym Cumulative Data Analysis 113
3810 Data Analysis: Survey Section 2 115
39 Limitations and Risks of the Research Methods 116
310 The Researcher’s Role and Bias Reduction 118
311 The Researcher’s Identity 120
312 Ethics 121
Chapter 4 Findings: Attributes Common to Adult People of Dark Personality 124
41 Introduction 124
42 Dark Personality and Malevolence: The ‘Dark Core’ of People of Dark Personality 126
421
The Profoundly Unacceptable ‘Darkness’ of Those of Dark Personality 126
422
The Fear Experience of Practitioner Expert Research Participants 131
423
Researchers Who Participated in This Study Less Likely to Have Had the Fear Experience
Regarding People of DP 134
43 Findings From the Word/Phrase Synonym Quantitative Analysis 135
44 Persistent Predatory Personality Model 140
45 Attributes of People of Dark Personality 144
xi
451
Attribute 1: Driven By a Need for Control, Power, and Dominance 145
452
Attribute 2: Self-View of Superior and Special, Entitled 148
453
Attribute 3: A Pathological, Explosive Inner Response to Being Compromised or
Challenged 151
454
Attribute 4: Vengeful 154
455 Attribute 5: Uncompromising 156
456
Attribute 6: Predatory (Including Exploitative) 158
4561
Introduction 158
4562
Target/Victim Selection 161
4563
Target/Victim Engagement 164
4564
Target/Victim Weakening 165
4565
Target/Victim Isolation 167
4566
Target/Victim Trapping and Destruction 169
4567
Hunting in Packs 172
457
Attribute 7: Sadistic (Including Cruel) 172
458
Attribute 8: Has a Low Regard for Laws, Regulations, and Agreements, and Social and
Moral Codes 175
459
Attribute 9: Sexual/Relationship Boundarylessness 178
4510 Attribute 10: Unreasonable Expectations of Others 182
4511 Attribute 11: Actively Cultivates Façade of Normal 184
45111 People of DP Seem Like Any Other Person 184
45112 People of DP Use Charities, Marriages, Religion, Causes As Fronts 185
45113 Polarisation 186
4512 Attribute 12: Chameleon-Like 187
4513 Attribute 13: Dishonest (Including Lies) 190
xii
4514 Attribute 14: Devious and Manipulative (Including Calculated) and Involving Consciously
Misleading Others to be Inadvertently Complicit—The Dark Personality Superpower! 192
4515 Attribute 15: Unwillingness to Accept Responsibility for Negative Impacts They Cause
197
4516 Attribute 16: Without Authentic Emotion; Emotional Responses Are Acted 198
45161 The Profoundly Different Inner World of People of DP 198
45162 Mistaking Emotional Deficit for ‘Calmness’ 201
4517 Attribute 17: Callous (Without Empathy) 201
4518 Attribute 18: Unremorseful 203
4519 Attribute 19: Self-Interested 204
4520 Attribute 20: Brazen 206
46 Attribute Groupings 208
47 Tactics 210
48 Differentiators 211
49 The Exception: Vulnerability and Dark Personality Behaviours 213
410 Conclusion: Findings Relating to Attributes Common to Adult People of Dark Personality 215
Chapter 5 Findings: Shedding Light on Points of Contention and Other Issues 217
51 Introduction 217
52 Can People of Dark Personality be Identified Using Models Developed From Continuums of
Normal Personality? 218
53 Optimal Ways for Gathering Comprehensive and Nuanced Data on People of Dark Personality 220
54 Definitional Clarity 223
54 People of Dark Personality: Their Impact on Others 224
541
Introduction 224
542
Mental Impact 226
543
Emotional Impact 227
xiii
544
Physical Impact 227
545
Social, Relational, and Reputational Impact 228
546
Financial Impact 228
547
Work-Related Impact 229
55 People of Dark Personality, Parenting, and Impact on Their Children 231
56 People of Dark Personality, Criminality, and Imprisonment Factors 240
57 People of Dark Personality, Professions, and Employment 243
58 People of Dark Personality and Gaps in Our Understanding 247
59 People of Dark Personality: Does Disagreement About Their Shared Attributes Hinder the Ability
to Protect Society? 248
510 The Conundrum of Exposing and Trying to Hold People of Dark Personality to Account 252
511 Is It An Advantage to Have Someone of Dark Personality in Particular Professions? 256
512 Space Limitations and Data Reporting 256
513 Researchers Who Are of Dark Personality Block Research 258
Chapter 6 Discussion and Conclusions 260
61 Background 260
62 A New Model: Persistent Predatory Personality 260
63 The Two Key Research Questions 262
64 Psychopaths, Narcissists, Machiavellians, Toxic Leaders, Coercive Controllers: Subsets of One
Overarching ‘Dark’ Personality Type 264
65 Problems With Previous Research Approaches 265
66 Issues With Existing Dark Personality Models and Assessment Tools 268
661
Background 268
662
The Psychopathy Checklist–Revised 269
6621
The Psychopathy Checklist–Revised and Omission of the ‘Control, Power
Dominance’ Attribute 270
xiv
6622
Issues With the Psychopathy Checklist–Revised in Identifying Higher
Functioning People of Dark Personality 271
663
Behavioural Continuums Based on Models of Normal Personality: Mixed Findings as to
Whether They Can be Used to Identify People of Dark Personality 271
67 Throwing Light on Issues of Contention and Gaps in the Literature 272
671
Control, Power, and Dominance 272
672
Sadism 273
673
Impulsive Versus Strategic 274
674
Physical Violence 274
675
Sexual Boundarylessness 275
676
Target/Victim Selection 276
677
The Impact of a Parent of Dark Personality on Their Children 276
68 The Secondary Questions of This Thesis 276
69 Limitations of the Research 278
Chapter 7 Future Directions 280
71 Practitioner and Researcher Partnering 280
72 Greater Use of Qualitative Research Approaches 281
73 Further Research With Practitioners and Targets/Victims 281
74 Increased Research With Practitioners Working With Higher Functioning People of Dark
Personality Outside Prisons 283
75 Greater Levels of Consultation Between the Siloed Fields of Research 283
76 Further Work on Brain Anomalies in People of Dark Personality 285
77 Greater Focus on Similarities Rather Than Differences in People of Dark Personality 285
Addendum Call to Action 287
References 289
Appendices 336
xv
Appendix A List of Study Participants (n = 57) 337
Appendix B Scale Structure of PCL-R: Second Edition, Rating Booklet (Hare, 2003) 349
Appendix C List of Dark Personality Assessment Tools Utilised by Research Participants 350
Appendix D The Delphi Survey Technique: Key Points From the Literature 357
Appendix E Introductory Email Example: Researchers 365
Appendix F Introductory Email Example: Expert Practitioners 366
Appendix G Introductory Email Attachment: PhD Project Outline 367
Appendix H Follow-Up Call: Group A Participants 368
Appendix I Follow-Up Call: Group B Participants 370
Appendix J Ethics Approval and Final Report 372
Appendix K Background and Informed Consent for Group A Participants 374
Appendix L Examples of Presurvey, Semistructured Interview Questions 379
Appendix M Survey Instrument: First Round of Delphi Research 380
Appendix N Strawman Model Used for Postsurvey, Semistructured Interviews 409
Appendix O The Persistent Predatory Personality (PPP) Model Populated With Additional Data for
Enhanced Understanding 454
xvi
List of Tables
Table 1 A Selection of Assessment tools to Identify People of Dark Personality 23
Table 2 Research Participant Categories (n = 57) 95
Table 3 Ranking of the Top 25 Attributes of People of Dark Personality 136
Table 4 Ranking of Attributes Perceived as the Core Driver of People of Dark Personality 138
xvii
List of Figures
Figure 1 Data Collection and Analysis Flowchart 99
Figure 2 Persistent Predatory Personality (PPP) Model 142
Figure 3 Professions/Working Roles of People of Dark Personality by Number of Times Mentioned in
Behavioural Manifestation Examples in Section 1 of the Survey 246
A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy
https://researchbank.swinburne.edu.au/fi...thesis.pdf
Whilst men [and women] are linked together, they easily and speedily communicate
the alarm of any evil design. They are enabled to fathom it with common counsel, and
to oppose it with united strength. Whereas, when they lie dispersed, without concert,
order, or discipline, communication is uncertain, counsel difficult, and resistance
impracticable. (Burke, 1770/1999)
Abstract
People who actively violate social norms and harm and disadvantage others by conscious choice have been the focus of research for centuries. Psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism, collectively the dark triad or dark personality (DP), are conceptualisations intended to give meaning to the characteristics common to socially aversive personalities. Behavioural researchers in fields such as toxic leadership, coercive control in domestic violence, cults, and child sex abuse in religion also explore the characteristics of those who are socially aversive.
There is, however, substantial dissention regarding shared attributes of those who are socially aversive, resulting in considerable ongoing friction and fragmentation in the field.
This is neither in the interests of humankind, as identification of human predators is key to survival, nor in the interests of researchers who are committing time and resources to
vastly conflicting ideas.
A model is presented in this thesis which appears to represent the nature of socially aversive personalities, people of DP, more comprehensively than any existing model or collection of behaviours. This three-dimensional model, the Persistent Predatory Personality (PPP) model, includes attributes, an arsenal of weaponry (tactics), and differentiating features (capabilities and values), which emerged from the data.
The thesis aims to identify common threads of research, resolve longstanding issues of dispute, and further clarify shared attributes of people of DP. New and unique approaches
to research in the area and highly knowledgeable research populations not previously canvassed for data were engaged to achieve this aim. The data, which are extensive and
highly nuanced, clarify longstanding points of contention in the DP literature.
An important and unique finding from the data is that people of DP who are higher functioning and engage in more covert forms of harm are equally as dangerous and sadistic, and share the same attributes, as those who commit overt acts of harm such as murder. iii
The data were collected internationally from 57 senior expert practitioners cumulatively representing more than a thousand years, and individually an average of 22 years, of direct,
continuous experience with multiple people of DP and their targets/victims. Research participants were drawn from both forensic and nonforensic contexts and include religious leaders, medical specialists, executives, profilers including FBI and law
enforcement, and forensic and nonforensic mental health professionals working with cults, Death Row prisoners, coercive control, and intimate partner violence perpetrators and victims,
and others, including world-leading academics. Data were collected via multiple interviews and the Delphi survey technique.
This thesis presents a model that is potentially the most comprehensive and nuanced
representation yet developed of adult people who actively violate social norms and harm and
disadvantage others by conscious choice, socially aversive personalities.
The breadth and depth of harm imposed by people who actively violate social norms
and harm and disadvantage others by conscious choice (dark personality; DP), including
psychopaths, narcissists, and Machiavellians, is substantial and impacts millions of people
daily in the most painful and destructive of ways.
Those of DP who remain outside the prison system may not only outnumber the
institutionalised populations but also be more broadly dangerous and harmful to society
People of DP who are higher functioning are, however, more difficult to identify as their
actions intended to cause harm are generally covert and less likely to leave evidence. They
are well able to project an image of ‘normal’ (Babiak & Hare, 2019) and engage in well-
meaning platforms such as medicine, domestic violence prevention, teaching, and religion to
further avert exposure. In addition, they powerfully and convincingly undermine those who try
to expose them.
It is therefore counterproductive and harmful that substantial contention still exists in
the academic literature about the shared attributes of those who actively violate social norms
and harm and disadvantage others by conscious choice
Table of Contents
Abstract ii
Acknowledgements iv
Declaration vi
Table of Contents vii
List of Tables xvi
List of Figures xvii
List of Abbreviations xviii
Chapter 1 Overview 1
11 Thesis Outline 1
12 Research Aims 6
13 Contribution to Knowledge and Other Benefits of the Research 7
14 How Is This Research Approach Original? 11
15 The Evolution of Dark Personality Conceptualisations 12
Chapter 2 Literature Review, Critical Analysis, and Fact-Finding Discussions With International
Thought Leaders 18
21 Introduction 18
211
The Breadth of Existing Literature 18
212
Fact-Finding Discussions With Key International Thought Leaders 19
22 Conflicting Models and Assessment Tools for People of Dark Personality 21
23 Research Approach Issues in Existing Research That Contribute to Contention 28
231
Introduction 28
232
Historical Factors 28
233
Extensive Use of Items From Early Dark Personality Assessment Tools in Ongoing
Research 29
viii
234
Issues With Research Tools 29
235
Issues With Study Populations 30
236
Researcher-Centric Issues 31
237
The Differing and Conflicting Ideas of Personality Researchers 35
24 Areas of Contention Regarding Attributes of People of Dark Personality 38
241 The Fundamental Nature of People of Dark Personality 39
242 Control, Power, and Dominance 41
243 Impulsiveness vs Strategic Orientation 43
244 Sexuality and Sexual Expression 45
245 Transparency and Information 48
246 Grooming and Impression Management 49
247
Sadism 51
248 Instrumental Aggression and the Use of Intimidation 52
249 Victim Vulnerability, Target Choice, and Predation 53
25 Conclusion: Literature Review 54
Chapter 3 Research Approach 56
31 Introduction 56
32 The Research Problem 57
321
Overview 57
322
Silo-ism Among Research Fields: A Case Study 57
33 Research Questions and Parameters 59
34 Research Philosophy and Theory 61
341
Introduction 61
342
The Pragmatist Research Theory 62
343
The Value of the Pragmatic Research Theory: A Professional Anecdote 63
35 Research Methodology and Methods 66
ix
351 Introduction 66
352
Research Methodology and Methods Chosen for This Project: The Semistructured
Interview and the Delphi Survey Technique 68
353
Semistructured Interviews 70
354
The Delphi Survey Technique 71
36 Best Practice in the Chosen Research Methods 72
361
Introduction 72
362
Best Practice in the Semistructured Interview 73
363
Best Practice in the Delphi Survey Technique 74
3631
Administration and Timing 74
3632
Participant Selection and Approach 75
3633
Pilot Testing 76
3634
Number of Delphi Survey Technique Research Rounds 76
3635
The Delphi Technique Survey Instrument 77
3636
Participant Engagement 78
3637
Data Analysis 79
3638
Examples of Delphi Survey Technique Use 80
37 The Research Population 82
371
Introduction 82
372
Participant Numbers (Sample Size) 83
373
Participant Identification, Selection, Recruitment, and Vetting 85
3731
Introduction 85
3732
Participant Identification 86
3733
Approaching Potential Research Participants 87
3734
Vetting Research Participants 88
3735
Research Participant Categories 94
x
38 Research Implementation and Data Analysis 98
381
Introduction 98
382
Stage 1 of Data Collection: Semistructured Interviews 101
383
Stage 2 of Data Collection: Delphi Survey 101
384
Revision of Delphi Survey Technique Process 105
385
Stage 1 of Data Analysis (Survey Section 1): Data Transfer Thematic Analysis 106
386
Stage 2 of Data Analysis (Survey Section 1): Word/Phrase Synonym Thematic Analysis
109
387
Stage 3 of Data Collection: Postsurvey Semistructured Interviews 110
388
Stage 3 of Data Analysis: Triangulated Thematic Analysis 113
389
Stage 4 of Data Analysis: Word/Phrase Synonym Cumulative Data Analysis 113
3810 Data Analysis: Survey Section 2 115
39 Limitations and Risks of the Research Methods 116
310 The Researcher’s Role and Bias Reduction 118
311 The Researcher’s Identity 120
312 Ethics 121
Chapter 4 Findings: Attributes Common to Adult People of Dark Personality 124
41 Introduction 124
42 Dark Personality and Malevolence: The ‘Dark Core’ of People of Dark Personality 126
421
The Profoundly Unacceptable ‘Darkness’ of Those of Dark Personality 126
422
The Fear Experience of Practitioner Expert Research Participants 131
423
Researchers Who Participated in This Study Less Likely to Have Had the Fear Experience
Regarding People of DP 134
43 Findings From the Word/Phrase Synonym Quantitative Analysis 135
44 Persistent Predatory Personality Model 140
45 Attributes of People of Dark Personality 144
xi
451
Attribute 1: Driven By a Need for Control, Power, and Dominance 145
452
Attribute 2: Self-View of Superior and Special, Entitled 148
453
Attribute 3: A Pathological, Explosive Inner Response to Being Compromised or
Challenged 151
454
Attribute 4: Vengeful 154
455 Attribute 5: Uncompromising 156
456
Attribute 6: Predatory (Including Exploitative) 158
4561
Introduction 158
4562
Target/Victim Selection 161
4563
Target/Victim Engagement 164
4564
Target/Victim Weakening 165
4565
Target/Victim Isolation 167
4566
Target/Victim Trapping and Destruction 169
4567
Hunting in Packs 172
457
Attribute 7: Sadistic (Including Cruel) 172
458
Attribute 8: Has a Low Regard for Laws, Regulations, and Agreements, and Social and
Moral Codes 175
459
Attribute 9: Sexual/Relationship Boundarylessness 178
4510 Attribute 10: Unreasonable Expectations of Others 182
4511 Attribute 11: Actively Cultivates Façade of Normal 184
45111 People of DP Seem Like Any Other Person 184
45112 People of DP Use Charities, Marriages, Religion, Causes As Fronts 185
45113 Polarisation 186
4512 Attribute 12: Chameleon-Like 187
4513 Attribute 13: Dishonest (Including Lies) 190
xii
4514 Attribute 14: Devious and Manipulative (Including Calculated) and Involving Consciously
Misleading Others to be Inadvertently Complicit—The Dark Personality Superpower! 192
4515 Attribute 15: Unwillingness to Accept Responsibility for Negative Impacts They Cause
197
4516 Attribute 16: Without Authentic Emotion; Emotional Responses Are Acted 198
45161 The Profoundly Different Inner World of People of DP 198
45162 Mistaking Emotional Deficit for ‘Calmness’ 201
4517 Attribute 17: Callous (Without Empathy) 201
4518 Attribute 18: Unremorseful 203
4519 Attribute 19: Self-Interested 204
4520 Attribute 20: Brazen 206
46 Attribute Groupings 208
47 Tactics 210
48 Differentiators 211
49 The Exception: Vulnerability and Dark Personality Behaviours 213
410 Conclusion: Findings Relating to Attributes Common to Adult People of Dark Personality 215
Chapter 5 Findings: Shedding Light on Points of Contention and Other Issues 217
51 Introduction 217
52 Can People of Dark Personality be Identified Using Models Developed From Continuums of
Normal Personality? 218
53 Optimal Ways for Gathering Comprehensive and Nuanced Data on People of Dark Personality 220
54 Definitional Clarity 223
54 People of Dark Personality: Their Impact on Others 224
541
Introduction 224
542
Mental Impact 226
543
Emotional Impact 227
xiii
544
Physical Impact 227
545
Social, Relational, and Reputational Impact 228
546
Financial Impact 228
547
Work-Related Impact 229
55 People of Dark Personality, Parenting, and Impact on Their Children 231
56 People of Dark Personality, Criminality, and Imprisonment Factors 240
57 People of Dark Personality, Professions, and Employment 243
58 People of Dark Personality and Gaps in Our Understanding 247
59 People of Dark Personality: Does Disagreement About Their Shared Attributes Hinder the Ability
to Protect Society? 248
510 The Conundrum of Exposing and Trying to Hold People of Dark Personality to Account 252
511 Is It An Advantage to Have Someone of Dark Personality in Particular Professions? 256
512 Space Limitations and Data Reporting 256
513 Researchers Who Are of Dark Personality Block Research 258
Chapter 6 Discussion and Conclusions 260
61 Background 260
62 A New Model: Persistent Predatory Personality 260
63 The Two Key Research Questions 262
64 Psychopaths, Narcissists, Machiavellians, Toxic Leaders, Coercive Controllers: Subsets of One
Overarching ‘Dark’ Personality Type 264
65 Problems With Previous Research Approaches 265
66 Issues With Existing Dark Personality Models and Assessment Tools 268
661
Background 268
662
The Psychopathy Checklist–Revised 269
6621
The Psychopathy Checklist–Revised and Omission of the ‘Control, Power
Dominance’ Attribute 270
xiv
6622
Issues With the Psychopathy Checklist–Revised in Identifying Higher
Functioning People of Dark Personality 271
663
Behavioural Continuums Based on Models of Normal Personality: Mixed Findings as to
Whether They Can be Used to Identify People of Dark Personality 271
67 Throwing Light on Issues of Contention and Gaps in the Literature 272
671
Control, Power, and Dominance 272
672
Sadism 273
673
Impulsive Versus Strategic 274
674
Physical Violence 274
675
Sexual Boundarylessness 275
676
Target/Victim Selection 276
677
The Impact of a Parent of Dark Personality on Their Children 276
68 The Secondary Questions of This Thesis 276
69 Limitations of the Research 278
Chapter 7 Future Directions 280
71 Practitioner and Researcher Partnering 280
72 Greater Use of Qualitative Research Approaches 281
73 Further Research With Practitioners and Targets/Victims 281
74 Increased Research With Practitioners Working With Higher Functioning People of Dark
Personality Outside Prisons 283
75 Greater Levels of Consultation Between the Siloed Fields of Research 283
76 Further Work on Brain Anomalies in People of Dark Personality 285
77 Greater Focus on Similarities Rather Than Differences in People of Dark Personality 285
Addendum Call to Action 287
References 289
Appendices 336
xv
Appendix A List of Study Participants (n = 57) 337
Appendix B Scale Structure of PCL-R: Second Edition, Rating Booklet (Hare, 2003) 349
Appendix C List of Dark Personality Assessment Tools Utilised by Research Participants 350
Appendix D The Delphi Survey Technique: Key Points From the Literature 357
Appendix E Introductory Email Example: Researchers 365
Appendix F Introductory Email Example: Expert Practitioners 366
Appendix G Introductory Email Attachment: PhD Project Outline 367
Appendix H Follow-Up Call: Group A Participants 368
Appendix I Follow-Up Call: Group B Participants 370
Appendix J Ethics Approval and Final Report 372
Appendix K Background and Informed Consent for Group A Participants 374
Appendix L Examples of Presurvey, Semistructured Interview Questions 379
Appendix M Survey Instrument: First Round of Delphi Research 380
Appendix N Strawman Model Used for Postsurvey, Semistructured Interviews 409
Appendix O The Persistent Predatory Personality (PPP) Model Populated With Additional Data for
Enhanced Understanding 454
xvi
List of Tables
Table 1 A Selection of Assessment tools to Identify People of Dark Personality 23
Table 2 Research Participant Categories (n = 57) 95
Table 3 Ranking of the Top 25 Attributes of People of Dark Personality 136
Table 4 Ranking of Attributes Perceived as the Core Driver of People of Dark Personality 138
xvii
List of Figures
Figure 1 Data Collection and Analysis Flowchart 99
Figure 2 Persistent Predatory Personality (PPP) Model 142
Figure 3 Professions/Working Roles of People of Dark Personality by Number of Times Mentioned in
Behavioural Manifestation Examples in Section 1 of the Survey 246