The Power of “Dark”: A Word That Unites Personality Research.

What is it about?

This commentary explores the debate over using the word “dark” to describe personality traits like narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. While some critics argue the label sounds negative or biased, the authors defend it, showing that the term has actually helped bring researchers together and sparked important discoveries about the complex side of human nature.

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Photo by David Valentine on Unsplash

Photo by David Valentine on Unsplash

Why is it important?

It is important because language can shape science. The word “dark” has become a powerful connector, uniting studies that might have stayed isolated and giving researchers a common way to talk about antagonistic personality traits. Keeping this shared framework supports collaboration, clarity, and deeper understanding of what drives human behavior.