The Dark Side of Personality

Take a walk on the dark side by completing this questionnaire! It has been developed by psychologists to measure some key aspects of personality.

  • Read our consent form, which explains the benefits of this free, anonymous test, as well as your rights.
     
  • There are no "right" or "wrong" answers, but note that you will not obtain meaningful results unless you answer the questions seriously.
     
  • These results are being used in scientific research, so please try to give accurate answers.
     
  • Your results will be displayed as soon as you submit your answers.

Instructions: Part 1

Here are a number of characteristics that may or may not apply to you. For example, do you agree that you are someone who likes to spend time with others? Please select a response next to each statement to indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with that statement.

I am someone who . . .

Disagree
strongly

Disagree
a little

Neutral;
no opinion

Agree
a little

Agree
strongly

Statement

1. Tends to be quiet.
2. Is compassionate, has a soft heart.
3. Believes that it’s not wise to tell your secrets.
4. Tends to be disorganized.
5. People see as a natural leader.
6. Worries a lot.
7. Likes to get revenge on authorities.
8. Is fascinated by art, music, or literature.
9. Likes to use clever manipulation to get my way.
10. Is dominant, acts as a leader.
11. Hates being the center of attention.
12. Is sometimes rude to others.
13. Avoids dangerous situations.
14. Has difficulty getting started on tasks.
15. Believes that, whatever it takes, you must get the important people on your side.
16. Tends to feel depressed, blue.
17. Believes that many group activities tend to be dull without me.
18. Has little interest in abstract ideas.
19. Believes that payback needs to be quick and nasty.
20. Is full of energy.

Disagree
strongly

Disagree
a little

Neutral;
no opinion

Agree
a little

Agree
strongly

Statement

21. Avoids direct conflict with others because they may be useful in the future.
22. Assumes the best about people.
23. Knows that I am special because everyone keeps telling me so.
24. Is reliable, can always be counted on.
25. People often say is out of control.
26. Is emotionally stable, not easily upset.
27. Believes that it’s wise to keep track of information that you can use against people later.
28. Is original, comes up with new ideas.
29. Likes to get acquainted with important people.
30. Is outgoing, sociable.
31. Can be mean to others.
32. Can be cold and uncaring.
33. Believes that you should wait for the right time to get back at people.
34. Keeps things neat and tidy.
35. Feels embarrassed if someone compliments me.
36. Is relaxed, handles stress well.
37. People often say is out of control.
38. Has few artistic interests.
39. Believes that there are things you should hide from other people to preserve your reputation.
40. Prefers to have others take charge.

Disagree
strongly

Disagree
a little

Neutral;
no opinion

Agree
a little

Agree
strongly

Statement

41. Has been compared to famous people.
42. Is respectful, treats others with respect.
43. Has never gotten into trouble with the law.
44. Is persistent, works until the task is finished.
45. Makes sure my plans benefit myself not others.
46. Feels secure, comfortable with self.
47. Believes I am an average person.
48. Is complex, a deep thinker.
49. Enjoys having sex with people I hardly know.
50. Is less active than other people.
51. Believes that most people can be manipulated.
52. Tends to find fault with others.
53. Insists on getting the respect I deserve.
54. Can be somewhat careless.
55. Will say anything to get what I want.
56. Is temperamental, gets emotional easily.
57. Has little creativity.

Instructions: Part 2

This is a list of things different people might say about themselves. We are interested in how you would describe yourself. There are no right or wrong answers. So you can describe yourself as honestly as possible, we will keep your responses confidential. We’d like you to take your time and read each statement carefully, selecting the response that best describes you.

Very false or often false

Sometimes or somewhat false

Sometimes or somewhat true

Very true or often true

Statement

1. I have repeatedly done things that could get me arrested.
2. I avoid activities that involve a lot of contact with people.
3. People would describe me as reckless.
4. I am very afraid of being abandoned by someone.
5. I have trouble making everyday decisions.
6. I feel like I act totally on impulse.
7. I like being the center of attention.
8. I am more important than the average person.
9. Even though I know better, I can’t stop making rash decisions.
10. I am very concerned about details, lists, or schedules before I begin a task.
11. I think that there are people who are out to get me or harm or ruin me in some way.
12. I often feel like nothing I do really matters.
13. I tend to believe that things that happen in the world (like on TV) have a special meaning just for me.
14. I neither desire nor enjoy close relationships including my family.
15. Others see me as irresponsible.
16. I have lied to other, used false names, or conned people for my own profit or pleasure.
17. I am unwilling to get involved with people unless I am certain they will like me.
18. I’m not good at planning ahead.
19. I tend to have intense but unstable relationships.
20. I let other take responsibility for most important decisions in my life.

Very false or often false

Sometimes or somewhat false

Sometimes or somewhat true

Very true or often true

Statement

21. My thoughts often don’t make sense to others.
22. I like to act or look sexy.
23. I fantasize a lot about being really successful, powerful, or brilliant.
24. I worry about almost everything.
25. My perfectionism interferes with my completing a task.
26. People are not as loyal or trustworthy to me as I wish they were.
27. I get emotional easily, often for very little reason.
28. I am very superstitious, and/or I strongly believe in things like clairvoyance, mental telepathy, a sixth-sense, or extrasensory perception (ESP).
29. I almost always prefer solitary (by myself) activities.
30. I fear being alone in life more than anything else.
31. I am impulsive and/or I fail to plan ahead.
32. I hold back in close relationships because I fear being shamed or ridiculed.
33. I get stuck on one way of doing things, even when it’s clear it won’t work.
34. I wonder who I am much of the time.
35. I have trouble disagreeing with others.
36. I have seen things that weren’t really there.
37. My moods change quickly.
38. I believe I am special and unique, and I can only be understood by other special or important people.
39. I steer clear of romantic relationships.
40. People think I am too devoted to my job or work.

Very false or often false

Sometimes or somewhat false

Sometimes or somewhat true

Very true or often true

Statement

41. I am reluctant to confide in others because I fear the information may be used against me.
42. I’m not interested in making friends.
43. I have felt the presence of a force or person who was not actually there, and/or I have experienced very strange or bizarre things in my life.
44. I have little or no interest in having sex with another person.
45. I get irritated easily by all sorts of things.
46. My anger gets out of control easily.
47. I am worried about being criticized or rejected in social situations.
48. I don’t like to get too close to people.
49. I have been very impulsive in my spending money, sex, drug use, shoplifting, reckless driving, or binge eating.
50. I have trouble doing things on my own.
51. It’s no big deal if I hurt other peoples’ feelings.
52. When I go out, I like people to notice me.
53. I like being admired by others.
54. I rarely get enthusiastic about anything.
55. People have told me that I am too conscientious or too inflexible.
56. I think that people often have hidden threats or hidden put-downs when they talk to me.
57. I crave attention.
58. People tell me I say weird or strange things that don’t make sense.
59. I don’t seem to find much pleasure in life.
60. I often have to deal with people who are less important than me.

Very false or often false

Sometimes or somewhat false

Sometimes or somewhat true

Very true or often true

Statement

61. People say that I am wild or reckless.
62. I hold back when I meet new people because I feel unworthy.
63. I often have thoughts that make sense to me but that other people say are strange.
64. I have repeatedly made suicidal threats or gestures, or I have repeatedly hurt myself on purpose.
65. I have done unpleasant or degrading things in order to get people to like me.
66. I use people to get what I want.
67. When I go out, I like to look exotic, flamboyant, or dramatic.
68. I feel that I deserve special treatment from others.
69. I often “zone out” and then suddenly come to and realize that a lot of time has passed.
70. I am reluctant to let other people do things because they will not do them correctly.
71. I carry grudges for a long time.
72. Things around me often feel unreal, or more real than usual.
73. I tend to be suspicious or paranoid around other people.
74. I have no close friends or anyone to confide in other than a family member.
75. It is easy for me to take advantage of others.

Background Information

Before submitting your responses, please help us improve this site by answering a few demographic questions about yourself. These questions are entirely optional and will not affect your feedback.

About You

Background
Did you answer the questionnaire items honestly? Yes No

Have you completed this questionnaire before? Yes No

What is your gender?

What is your age? years

What is your ethnicity? Check all that apply.
White/Caucasian
Hispanic/Latino
Black/African-American
Asian/Asian-American
American Indian/Native American
Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Other

Do you speak English fluently? Yes No

Location
If you currently live in the USA, in which state do you live? What is your zip code?

If you currently live outside of the USA, in what country do you live?

Education and Work
What is the highest level of formal education that you have completed?

If you attended school in the USA last year, what was your overall average grade for the year?

What is your current employment status?

Where would you place yourself on the following spectrum of social class?

Relationships and Family
What is your current romantic relationship status?

Do you have children (either biological or adopted)? Yes No

Politics
Where would you place yourself on the following scale of political views?

Extremely
liberal
Liberal Slightly
liberal
Moderate Slightly
conservative
Conservative Extremely
conservative

If you are registered to vote in the USA, what is your political party?