Exploring the Destructive Path of 'Dark Triad' Personalities in Relationships
What lies behind the concept of the "dark triad"? Prof. Zbigniew Lew-Starowicz has noted an increasing number of patients exhibiting a particular personality structure in the sexologist's office. These are often women who disrupt many successful relationships, leading their partners into sexual addiction and depleting their finances - this is how the expert describes the situation.
28 March 2024 17:37
Men "from the dark triad" - lookout for these traits
The "dark triad" in patients refers to a combination of overlapping personality traits: psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism, as explained by Professor Lew-Starowicz. He refers to it as a "truly disastrous mix" in his statement for "Wprost".
As described by Prof. Lew-Starowicz, men with these traits initially seem charming and skilled at identifying their partners' needs and desires, even in the intimate realm. They portray themselves as perfect life partners and husbands. However, it gradually becomes evident that they are manipulative, making their partners increasingly dependent and, in some cases, submissive.
According to the expert, such men use sex as a means to an end, not hesitating to be unfaithful. Women who find themselves in a relationship with a "dark triad" partner often struggle with low self-esteem and are vulnerable to complexes. These relationships typically reach a breaking point where therapy is sought as the partner begins to reclaim their agency and resist manipulation. Initially, the man might attempt to showcase himself as an ideal husband or father in the best possible light, hoping to return the relationship to its former dynamic, sometimes even portraying themselves as the victim.
Characteristics of women "from the dark triad"
How are women exhibiting the "dark triad" described? Prof. Lew-Starowicz characterizes them in "Wprost" as embodying "psychopathy, pursuing sexual conquests, using intimacy to entrap a man".
These women are known for ending numerous successful marriages, addicting their partners sexually, draining their finances, and finally targeting and ensnaring desirable individuals. In these scenarios, sex is a key strategy," the expert notes.
