Examining the Relationship Between the Light Triad and the Dark Triad in Terms of Various Variables

This study aimed to examine the relationship between the Light Triad (Humanism, Kantianism, Faith in Humanity) and the Dark Triad (Machiavellianism, Narcissism, Psychopathy) personality traits concerning various demographic variables. Data were collected via an online survey from 495 adult participants (216 males and 279 females) aged 18 to 56. The study employed t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson Correlation Analysis to analyze the data. Findings revealed positive correlations among the Light Triad dimensions, with significant associations between Kantianism, Humanism, and Faith in Humanity. In contrast, the Light Triad and Dark Triad showed negative correlations, particularly between Humanism and both Machiavellianism and Psychopathy. Regarding gender differences, women scored higher in Humanism, whereas men had higher scores in Narcissism and Psychopathy. Additionally, single participants reported higher levels of Narcissism compared to married participants. The results suggest that the Light Triad is associated with prosocial tendencies and moral values, whereas the Dark Triad is linked to manipulation, selfishness, and strategic social advantage-seeking. These findings contribute to the understanding of how personality traits influence social behaviors and emphasize the need for further research, particularly in exploring the role of the Light Triad as a counterbalance to dark personality traits.