The Light Triad of Personality: A Review of Foreign Studies

71

Abstract

The relevance of the problem is due to the importance of identifying integrated characteristics of a person, which would reflect his typical modes of behavior, activity and relationships to the world around him. Such characteristics include the concepts of Dark (Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy) and Light (faith in humanity, humanism, Kantianism) personality triads. And, if the Dark Triad of traits has been actively studied in psychology for more than 20 years, the Light Triad has recently received the status of an independent psychological problem. Nevertheless, it aroused great interest in modern psychology, which led to the appearance of a significant number of publications. The article provides an overview of a number of modern foreign studies of the traits of the Light Triad of personality in the period from 2018 to 2024. Various approaches to identifying the features of the Light Triad and to developing diagnostic tools are considered. The main directions of research of the Light Triad are identified and characterized: the study of the manifestations of the features of the Light Triad depending on economic, political and cultural conditions; study of the relationship between the Light Triad traits and value orientations and life satisfaction; studying the relationship between the traits of the Light Triad and people’s behavior, including behavior on the Internet; traits of the Light Triad and the problem of leadership, etc. Disputable issues identified during the analysis of research on the traits of the Light Triad of personality are discussed.

General Information

Keywords: Dark Triad, Light Triad, machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, belief in humanity, humanism, Kantianism

Journal rubric: General Psychology

Article type: review article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/jmfp.2024130302

Acknowledgements. The author expresses his gratitude to the editorial board of the journal and reviewers for valuable comments on the article.

Received: 27.03.2024

Accepted:

For citation: Maralov V.G. The Light Triad of Personality: A Review of Foreign Studies [Elektronnyi resurs]. Sovremennaia zarubezhnaia psikhologiia = Journal of Modern Foreign Psychology, 2024. Vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 18–30. DOI: 10.17759/jmfp.2024130302. (In Russ., аbstr. in Engl.)

References

  1. Ilichov N.R., Zolotareva A.A. Pilotazhnaya otsenka i predvaritel'nye psikhometricheskie svoistva russkoyazychnoi versii shkaly Svetloi triady [Pilot assessment and preliminary psychometric properties of the Russian version of the Light Triad Scale]. Natsional'nyi psikhologicheskii zhurnal = National psychological journal, 2023, no. 2(50), pp. 3—13. DOI:10.11621/npj.2023.0201 (In Russ.).
  2. Kornienko D.S., Vyazovkina V.K., Nevruev A.N. «Svetlaya triada»: adaptatsiya i psikhometricheskie pokazateli [«Light Triad»: adaptation and Psychometric Indicators]. Psikhologicheskii zhurnal [Psychological Journal], 2023. Vol. 44, no. 5, pp. 66—75. DOI:10.31857/S020595920027725-3 (In Russ.).
  3. Seleznev K.V. Test temnoi i svetloi triady dlya izmereniya nravstvennoi sostavlyayushchei religioznosti [Dark and light triad test for measuring the moral component of religiosity]. Chelovek i transformatsiya sovremennogo obshchestva: problemy bezopasnosti, dukhovnosti i kul'tury [Man and the transformation of modern society: problems of security, spirituality and culture] [Electronic resource]: Mezhdunarodnyi nauchno-prakticheskii Svyato-Tikhonovskii forum: Pskov, 13—18 noyabrya 2021 g.: Sbornik statei. Pskov: Pskovskii gosudarstvennyi universitet, 2021, pp. 133—145. URL: https://elibrary.ru/download/elibrary_47380809_26087777.pdf (Accessed 12.09.2024). (In Russ.).
  4. Malik O.F., Shahzad A., Waheed A., Yousaf Z. Abusive supervision as a trigger of malevolent creativity: do the Light Triad traits matter? Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 2020. Vol. 41, no. 8, pp. 1119—1137. DOI:10.1108/LODJ-09-2019-0386
  5. Aruta J.J.B.R. Psychometric validation and environmental psychological correlates of the Light Triad traits: Evidence from a non-Western country. Journal of Individual Differences, 2023. Vol. 44, no. 3, pp. 163—172. DOI:10.1027/1614-0001/a000389
  6. Bălan A.S., Ionescu M.C., Stan A. Light triad personality traits and coping strategies in teachers. Current Trends in Natural Sciences, 2023. Vol. 12, no. 23, pp. 150—159. DOI:10.47068/ctns.2023.v12i23.016
  7. Barros L.O., Bonfá-Araujo B., Noronha A.P.P. Light triad scale: Propriedades psicométricas da versão português-brasileira e a relação com aspectos positivos. Revista Psicologia em Pesquisa, 2022. Vol. 16, no. 1, article ID e31427. 21 p. DOI:10.34019/1982-1247.2022.v16.31427
  8. Bıçaksız P., Tekeş B. Associations of the light triad with driving style and driving anger expression. Transactions on transport sciences, 2023. Vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 5—10. DOI:10.5507/tots.2023.004
  9. Al-Dowsari H., Al-Farraj H., Meiri E.W., Mistarihi W. Bright Triad of Personality as an Indicator of Emotional Tolerance between Married Couples. Migration Letters, 2023. Vol. 20(S8), pp. 1370—1387. DOI:10.59670/ml.v20iS8.5470
  10. Buckels E.E., Trapnel, P.D., Paulhus D.L. Trolls just want to have fun. Personality and individual Differences, 2014. Vol. 67, pp. 97—102. DOI:10.1016/j.paid.2014.01.016
  11. Constantin R.M., Florin S.D. An explorative study regarding the relationship between the Light Triad of personality, counterproductive work behavior and organizational citizenship behavior. Review of Socio-Economic Perspectives, 2023. Vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 19—28. DOI:10.19275/RSEP153
  12. Cooke P. Dark entrepreneurship, the “dark triad” and its potential “light triad” realization in “green entrepreneurship”. Urban Science, 2020. Vol. 4, no. 4, article ID 45. 17 p. DOI:10.3390/urbansci4040045
  13. Jonason P.K., Żemojtel‐Piotrowska M., Piotrowski J., et al. Country‐level correlates of the Dark Triad traits in 49 countries. Journal of Personality, 2020. Vol. 88, no. 6, pp. 1252—1267. DOI:10.1111/jopy.12569
  14. Curtis G.J. It Kant be all bad: Contributions of Light and Dark Triad traits to academic misconduct. Personality and Individual Differences, 2023. Vol. 212, article ID 112262. 4 p. DOI:10.1016/j.paid.2023.112262
  15. Ramos-Vera C., O'Diana A.G., Villena A.S., et al. Dark and Light Triad: A cross-cultural comparison of network analysis in 5 countries. Personality and Individual Differences, 2023. Vol. 215, article ID 112377. 10 p. DOI:10.1016/j.paid.2023.112377
  16. Mejía-Suazo C.J., Landa-Blanco M., Mejía-Suazo G.A., Martínez C.A.M. Dark and Light triad: relationship between personality traits and addiction to mobile phones, video games and internet. PsyArXiv. 2021. 15 p. DOI:10.31234/osf.io/dp659
  17. Dickinson D.L. Dark Versus Light Personality Types and Moral Choice [Electronic resource]. IZA Discussion Paper no. 16338. 2023. 34 p. URL: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4526263 (Accessed 11.09.2024).
  18. Ebrahimi E. The Analysis and Investigation of Leader's Light Triad Personality and Its Effect on a Perceived Organizational Support of Followers Considering the Moderating Role of Leader-Member. Journal of Public Administration, 2020. Vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 586—606. DOI:10.22059/jipa.2020.296451.2687
  19. Francis L.J., Crea G. Psychological predictors of professional burnout among priests, religious brothers, and religious sisters in Italy: The Dark Triad versus the Bright Trinity? Pastoral Psychology, 2021. Vol. 70, no. 4, pp. 399—418. DOI:10.1007/s11089-021-00951-8
  20. Gerymski R., Krok D. Psychometric properties and validation of the Polish adaptation of the Light Triad Scale. Current Issues in Personality Psychology, 2019. Vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 341—354. DOI:10.5114/cipp.2019.92960
  21. Grežo M., Adamus M. Light and Dark core of personality and the adherence to COVID-19 containment measures: The roles of motivation and trust in government. Acta Psychologica, 2022. Vol. 223, article ID 103483. 11 p. DOI:10.1016/j.actpsy.2021.103483
  22. Grigoropoulos I. Unraveling the intrapersonal factors related to infidelity: The predictive value of light and dark personality traits in a convenient Greek woman sample. Sexuality & Culture, 2024. Vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 400—424. DOI:10.1007/s12119-023-10123-w
  23. Alipour Gourand B., Azmoudeh M., Esmaielpour K., Hosseini Nasab S.D.Investigate the mediating role of value orientation in predicting life satisfaction based on dark and light personality traits and emotional differentiation. Sheenah Journal of Psychology and Psychiatry, 2022. Vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 160—174. DOI:10.32598/shenakht.9.2.160
  24. Johar N.H.J., Fuad N.A.M., Abdullah A. Light triad personality and team effectiveness. International Journal of Business and Management, 2022. Vol. 6, no. 6, pp. 34—38. DOI:10.26666/rmp.ijbm.2022.6.5
  25. Johnson L.K.D. The Light Triad Scale: Developing and Validating a Preliminary Measure of Prosocial Orientation: master of Science degree in Psychology [Electronic resource]. London, 2018. 66 p. URL: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/5515 (Accessed 11.09.2024).
  26. Kajonius P.J., Persson B.N., Jonason P.K. Hedonism, Achievement, and Power: Universal values that characterize the Dark Triad. Personality and Individual Differences, 2015. Vol. 77, pp. 173—178. DOI:10.1016/j.paid.2014.12.055
  27. Kaletta J., Reuther K. Dark Triad Versus Light Triad: A Comparison and Analysis in the Context of Agile Leadership. In Bezzina F. (ed.), 17th European Conference on Management, Leadership and Governance: Valetta, 8—9 November 2021. Kidmore End: Academic Conferences International, 2021, pp. 241—249. DOI:10.34190/MLG.21.081
  28. Khan I.U., Safdar U.K., Durrani M.Z. The light triad traits, psychological empowerment, creative self-efficacy, self-resilience and innovative performance in ict of Pakistan. Gomal University Journal of Research, 2021. Vol. 37, no. 3, pp. 297—310. DOI:10.51380/gujr-37-03-05
  29. Kholidiah K., Basuki B., Hamidah H. Dark Triad and Light Triad Personality in Awareness of The Role of Educator Accountants. Asian Journal of Engineering, Social and Health, 2023. Vol. 2, no. 5, pp. 329—346. DOI:10.46799/ajesh.v2i5.61
  30. Neumann C.S., Kaufman S.B., ten Brinke L., Yaden D.B., Hyde E., Tsykayama E. Light and dark trait subtypes of human personality — A multi-study person-centered approach. Personality and Individual Differences, 2020. Vol. 164, article ID 110121. 11 p. DOI:10.1016/j.paid.2020.110121
  31. Lukić P., Živanović M. Shedding light on the Light Triad: Further evidence on structural, construct, and predictive validity of the Light Triad. Personality and Individual Differences, 2021. Vol. 178, article ID 110876. 12 p. DOI:10.1016/j.paid.2021.110876
  32. March E., Marringto J.Z. Antisocial and prosocial online behaviour: Exploring the roles of the Dark and Light Triads. Current Psychology: A Journal for Diverse Perspectives on Diverse Psychological Issues, 2023. Vol. 42, no. 2, pp. 1390—1393. DOI:10.1007/s12144-021-01552-7
  33. Mewara A. Effect of light triad, meaning in life on level of life satisfaction among health care workers: A comparative study [Electronic resource]. International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews, 2024. Vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 74—121. URL: https://www.ijrar.org/papers/IJRARTH00156.pdf (Accessed 11.09.2024).
  34. Musek J., Grum D.K. The bright side of personality. Heliyon, 2021. Vol. 7, no. 3, article ID e06370. 6 p. DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06370
  35. Nilsson H., Kazemi A. The bright triad of mindful leadership: An alternative to the Dark Triad of leadership. Psychology of Leaders and Leadership, 2023. Vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 67—91. DOI:10.1037/mgr0000138
  36. Paulhus D.L., Williams K.M. The Dark Triad of personality: Narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy. Journal of Research in Personality, 2002. Vol. 36, no. 6, pp. 556—563. DOI:10.1016/S0092-6566(02)00505-6
  37. Pektaş S., Durmuş G. Adaptation of the Light Triad Scale to Turkish: A validity and reliability study. Akdeniz Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 2022. Vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 664—674. DOI:10.38021/asbid.1167809
  38. Ucar G.K., Malatyalı M.K., Planalı G.Ö., Kanik B. Personality and pro-environmental engagements: the role of the Dark Triad, the Light Triad, and value orientations. Personality and Individual Differences, 2023. Vol. 203, article ID 112036. 6 p. DOI:10.1016/j.paid.2022.112036
  39. Peterson R.D., Palmer C.L. The dark is rising: Contrasting the dark triad and light triad on measures of political ambition and participation. Frontiers in Political Science, 2021. Vol. 3, article ID 657750. 9 p. DOI:10.3389/fpos.2021.657750
  40. Petrović B., Međedović J. Personality and behavioural characteristics of dark and light narcissism [Electronic resource]. Zbornik Instituta za kriminološka I sociološka istraživanja. Beograd, 2016. Vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 7—33. URL: http://institutecsr.iksi.ac.rs/255/1/petrovic%2C%20medjedovic.pdf (Accessed 11.09.2024).
  41. Safari Shirazi M., Sadeghzadeh M., Mirdrikvand F. Psychometric properties of Light Triad Scale (LTS) in Iranian students. Clinical Psychology and Personality, 2023. Vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 263—276. DOI:10.22070/CPAP.2023.16600.1263
  42. Pechorro P., Baptista M.N., Bonfá-Araujo B., Nunes C., DeLisi M. Screening for Light Personalities in Portugal: A Cross-Cultural Validation of the Light Triad Scale With an At-risk-of-delinquency Sample. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 2024. Article ID 306624X241228234. 11 p. DOI:10.1177/0306624X241228234
  43. Seligman M.E.P., Csikszentmihalyi M. Positive psychology: An introduction. American Psychologist, 2000. Vol. 55, no. 1, pp. 5—14. DOI:10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.5
  44. Sevi B., Doğruyol B. Looking from the bright side: The Light Triad predicts Tinder use for love. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 2020. Vol. 37, no. 7, pp. 2136—2144. DOI:10.1177/0265407520918942
  45. Sevi B., Urganci B., Sakman E. Who cheats? An examination of light and dark personality traits as predictors of infidelity. Personality and Individual Differences, 2020. Vol. 164, article ID 110126. 6 p. DOI:10.1016/j.paid.2020.110126
  46. Skrumada A. The light at the end of the tunnel? An easy triad, religiosity and well-being during the Covid-19 pandemic [Electronic resource]. Annals of the University of St. John Smith A.I. Kuzy, "Psychology" series, 2023. Vol. 32, pp. 39—55. URL: https://www.psih.uaic.ro/anale-psih/2023/12/21/ (Accessed 11.09.2024).
  47. Tekeş B., Bıçaksı, P. Aydınlık Üçlü (Light Triad) Ölçeğinin Psikometrik Özelliklerinin Değerlendirilmesi. AYNA Klinik Psikoloji Dergisi, 2021. Vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 535—556. DOI:10.31682/ayna.871395
  48. Thajil K.M., AL-Abrrow H. The effect of the bright triad on positive innovation in healthcare sector: The mediating role of emotional intelligence. International Journal of Healthcare Management, 2023. Vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 285—296. DOI:10.1080/20479700.2023.2177608
  49. Gouveia V.V., de Oliveira I.C.V., de Moura Grangeiro A.S., Monteiro R.P., de Holanda G.L. Coelho The bright side of the human personality: Evidence of a measure of prosocial traits. Journal of Happiness Studies: An Interdisciplinary Forum on Subjective Well-Being, 2021. Vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 1459—1480. DOI:10.1007/s10902-020-00280-2
  50. Stavraki M., Artacho-Mata E., Bajo M., Díaz D. The dark and light of human nature: Spanish adaptation of the Light Triad Scale and its relationship with psychological well-being. Current Psychology: A Journal for Diverse Perspectives on Diverse Psychological, 2023. Vol. 42, pp. 26979—26988. DOI:10.1007/s12144-022-03732-5
  51. Leahy S., Aplin-Houtz M.J., Willey S., Lane E.K., Sharma S., Meriac J. The Light Side of Technology Acceptance: The Direct Effects of the Light Triad on the Technology Acceptance Model [Electronic resource]. Journal of Managerial Issues, 2023. Vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 300—330. URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372451965 (Accessed 12.09.2024).
  52. Kaufman S.B., Yaden D.B., Hyde E., Tsukayama E. The Light vs. Dark Triad of Personality: Contrasting Two Very Different Profiles of Human Nature. Frontiers in Psychology, 2019. Vol. 10, article ID 467. 26 p. DOI:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00467
  53. Muris P., Merckelbach H., Otgaar H., Meijer E. The Malevolent Side of Human Nature: A Meta-Analysis and Critical Review of the Literature on the Dark Triad (Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and Psychopathy). Perspectives on Psychological Science, 2017. Vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 183—204. DOI:10.1177/1745691616666070
  54. Tucaković L., Bojić L., Nikolić N. The Battle Between Light and Dark Side of Personality: How Light and Dark Personality Traits Predict Mating Strategies in the Online Context. Interpersona: An International Journal on Personal Relationships, 2022. Vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 295—312. DOI:10.5964/ijpr.7869
  55. Petrov N., Lim V., Fillon A., Feldman G. Values and the dark side: Meta-analysis of links between Dark Triad traits and personal values. Hong Kong: University of Hong Kong, 2020. 85 p. DOI:10.17605/OSF.IO/4Z27F
  56. Yousefi R. Cross-validation of the Light Triad Personality Traits Model. Journal of Modern Psychological Researches, 2022. Vol. 17, no. 66, pp. 301—311. DOI:10.22034/jmpr.2022.15284

Information About the Authors

Vladimir G. Maralov, Doctor of Psychology, Professor of the Department of Psychology, Cherepovets State University, Cherepovets, Russia, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9627-2304, e-mail: vgmaralov@yandex.ru

Metrics

Views

Total: 248
Previous month: 170
Current month: 78

Downloads

Total: 71
Previous month: 45
Current month: 26