The “dark triad” may be popular, but more importantly, it is irresponsible, moralizing, trivializing, and ultimately replaceable: Reply to Borráz-León et al. (2026).
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Borráz-León and colleagues’ (2025) reply to our viewpoint only briefly addressed our critiques that the term ‘dark’ is stigmatizing, sensationalistic, imprecise, and problematic. Instead, they pivot away from our concerns by (A) suggesting without evidence or detail that this term can be used “responsibly,” and (B) highlighting the growth in the use of the term 'dark' in research publications. We have four broad replies. First, the 'dark' trait literature has been far from responsible in their use of this term. Second, there is good precedent for replacing popular, problematic terms such that no loss is incurred by the field. Third, we did indeed provide empirical evidence to substantiate our claims regarding stigma associated with the term 'dark'. Fourth, growth of a term or research area is not inherently good. We turn to each of these points briefly.
DOI: 10.1037/abn0001100
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7159621745