Are Coverts More Psychopathic?

We tested the degree to which positive emotions are associated with the Dark Triad, using general underlying personality traits to structure this information. While the two Dark Triad scales were correlated, they were also significantly correlated with their respective measures of Psychopathy and Machiavellianism. Structural equation models indicated better fit if one split the Dark Triad into a better-fitting dark dyad of Psychopathy and Machiavellianism, and a separate narcissism measure. Latent positive mood and dark dyad constructs were produced, with personality traits being fitted to these constructs. Both models were essentially the same, though the SD3’s fitness indices were slightly better than those for the D12; combining both scales for indicators did not strengthen the fit of the model. Positive mood was particularly predicted by ES and E, whereas the dark dyad was predicted by low A, greater narcissism, and lower positive mood. Narcissism was particularly predicted by E, low A, and greater self-rated happiness. These findings reiterate narcissism’s complexity and expression in relatively positive and negative forms (Ackerman et al., 2011). Latent profile analyses revealed four patterns of trait expression, supporting relationships shown in the SEM. These profiles reflected groups of persons who were unhappy, persons in the normal range (i.e., within 0.5 of a standard deviation of the mean for all measures), and grandiose and vulnerable narcissists. Grandiose narcissists were higher in E, ES, satisfaction with life, and general happiness; vulnerable narcissists were lower in A and ES, and higher in psychopathy and Machiavellianism.

creative_nothing wrote:Coverts: Borderline like
Overts: Histrionic like

Who are more psychopathic among the four?
I mean, covert N, overt N, HPD or BPD?

creative_nothing wrote:It seens a commonly held view on these forums(this and ASPD) that psycopaths resembles more overt narcissists.

This never seemed to be truth to me, and today I was reading this article.

NimplyDinply wrote:A covert narcissist is a lot higher in introversion and neuroticism than classic narcissists. Not getting into the whole etiology here, but they tend to suppress/repress their narcissistic traits reflexively and automatically. It is not a conscious choice afaik.

creative_nothing wrote:Coverts: Borderline like
Overts: Histrionic like

NimplyDinply wrote:I think we need to define what a covert narcissist is, and what a psychopath is. A covert narcissist is a lot higher in introversion and neuroticism than classic narcissists. Not getting into the whole etiology here, but they tend to suppress/repress their narcissistic traits reflexively and automatically. It is not a conscious choice afaik.