Counterproductive Work Behaviors

3The Origins of the Dark Triad

This chapter covers the origins of the dark triad personalities. As in many discussions on the development of other personalities, an important issue is whether or not a dark triad personality is genetic or the result of growing up in a certain environment. Questions that will be advanced here are what is the role of the environment in the development of dark triad traits? Are there any physiological characteristics specific to dark triad personalities? These issues, which are reviewed in this chapter, have implications regarding the possible means of dealing with dark triad personalities in the workplace. If genetics are dominant for developing these personalities, very little can be done about it. The only course ...