As Donald Trump is now President of the United States, it is of interest to analyze his controversial personality. Therefore the research question focusses on elaborating if Donald Trump's personality can be linked to the Dark Triad in psychological personality traits, especially to narcissism.
His hair is aloft. While he is verbally attacking his adversaries, his fingers jab the air. Donald Trump has been forceful, offensive and loud in almost every public debate he participated in. His success gives rise to questions such as these: How could someone like him win the presidency? Why have Americans elected someone who seems to be politically unqualified? How could someone gain acceptance by bullying his competitors as well as denigrating Muslims, Mexicans and women? When Donald Trump announced that he would run for president on 16th June 2015, neither Republicans nor Democrats took him seriously, and some of them saw him as a laughing stock. What was initially perceived as "freak shows" soon turned out to be the main attraction in the media coverage on the presidential campaign.
Table of Contents
Can Donald Trump's personality be linked to the dark triad?
Personality and Dark Triad
Machiavellianism
Psychopathy
Narcissism
Results
Discussion
Research Objectives and Focus
This paper examines the controversial personality of Donald Trump in the context of psychological frameworks, specifically seeking to determine whether his behavioral traits align with the components of the "Dark Triad," with a particular emphasis on narcissism.
- Analysis of personality traits within the Dark Triad framework.
- Definition and exploration of Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism.
- Evaluation of Donald Trump's public behavior and rhetoric through a psychological lens.
- Investigation into the manifestations of narcissistic traits in leadership and decision-making.
- Assessment of the implications of these personality traits on political conduct and governance.
Excerpt from the Book
Narcissism
"Sabrina likes to be the center of attention. She often looks at herself in the mirror, has extravagant dreams, and considers herself a person of many talents" (Robbins & Judge, 2015, p. 94). Sabrina is exemplary for narcissism. Main activities of individuals like Sabrina include fantasizing about coming into power, beauty, brilliance and limitless success. Therefore, narcissists are often perceived as arrogant and impersonal (Kanske, Sharifi, Smallwood, Dziobek, & Singer, 2016, p. 1).
In psychology, narcissists are understood to be individuals with a strong sense of self-importance, entitlement and need for admiration. Much of the evidence suggests that narcissists tend to be more charismatic than others. It therefore does not come as a surprise that leaders and managers usually score higher in narcissism than their followers, which suggests that a certain extent of self-importance is crucial to success (Robbins & Judge, 2015, p. 94). Narcissists tend to be warm, subtle and gentle to get what they want. They can convey a good first impression and can impress others with the stories they tell. Thus, narcissists are at least initially respected and often occupy positions of authority (Bogdanovic & Cingula, 2015, p. 31).
Chapter Summaries
Can Donald Trump's personality be linked to the dark triad?: This chapter introduces the controversial public persona of Donald Trump and establishes the research focus on linking his character traits to the Dark Triad.
Personality and Dark Triad: This section defines personality and introduces the Dark Triad framework, which encompasses the antisocial traits of Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism.
Machiavellianism: This chapter describes the trait of Machiavellianism, characterized by a tendency to manipulate others, interpersonal coldness, and a focus on aggressive career progression.
Psychopathy: This section explains psychopathy as a lack of concern for others, evidenced by a deficit in remorse and empathy.
Narcissism: This chapter provides a detailed overview of narcissism, discussing its manifestations, its potential utility in leadership, and the risks associated with it.
Results: This section presents anecdotal evidence and expert commentary regarding Donald Trump's behavior, applying the previously discussed concepts to analyze his specific actions and statements.
Discussion: This chapter synthesizes the findings, categorizing Trump's personality as highly narcissistic and reflecting on the potential impact of these traits on his future governance.
Keywords
Donald Trump, Dark Triad, Narcissism, Machiavellianism, Psychopathy, Personality Traits, Leadership, Antisocial Behavior, Self-importance, Entitlement, Rhetoric, Psychology, Political Candidates, Moral Disengagement, Impulsivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this research paper?
The paper explores whether the personality traits displayed by Donald Trump can be scientifically linked to the psychological concept known as the "Dark Triad," specifically focusing on narcissism.
What are the core components of the Dark Triad?
The Dark Triad consists of three socially undesirable but distinct personality traits: Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism.
What is the ultimate research question addressed by the author?
The research aims to elaborate on whether Donald Trump's controversial personality can be categorized under the Dark Triad, with a specific focus on identifying indicators of narcissism.
Which scientific methodology does the paper utilize?
The paper employs a qualitative analysis of existing psychological theory and literature, combined with an assessment of public records, media coverage, and behavioral examples to support the investigation.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body defines the three elements of the Dark Triad, provides a theoretical background for each, and analyzes specific public instances—such as tweets and speeches—that demonstrate these traits in Donald Trump.
What specific keywords define this study?
The study is characterized by terms such as Donald Trump, Dark Triad, Narcissism, leadership, personality traits, and antisocial behavior.
How is Machiavellianism described in the context of this paper?
Machiavellianism is presented as a trait defined by a strong intention to manipulate others for personal gain, accompanied by interpersonal coldness and aggressive tactics.
What examples are used to illustrate Donald Trump's potential narcissism?
The author cites various instances, including Trump's comments during his father's funeral, his rhetoric regarding his own intelligence, his self-descriptions in his books, and his social media interactions.
Does the paper suggest that narcissism is always negative?
No, the paper notes that while narcissism is often associated with negative attributes, it can also be a useful trait in history, as evidenced by successful figures who shaped industry and technology.
What is the significance of the "seven traits of narcissism" mentioned in the study?
These traits—authority, exhibitionism, superiority, vanity, entitlement, and self-sufficiency—serve as a framework to help assess the degree to which Donald Trump exhibits narcissistic tendencies.
- Quote paper
- Anil Balci (Author), 2017, Can Donald Trump's personality be linked to the Dark Triad?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/352271
