ReThinking: How to spot psychopaths and narcissists, with Leanne ten Brinke - Worklife with Adam Grant Recap

Podcast: Worklife with Adam Grant

Published: 2026-03-10

Duration: 35 min

Summary

In this episode, Adam Grant talks with Leanne ten Brinke about identifying dark personality traits, focusing on psychopaths and narcissists. They explore how these traits manifest in behaviors and interactions, and discuss the implications of recognizing such personalities in social situations.

What Happened

Adam Grant welcomes social psychologist Leanne ten Brinke to discuss her research on dark personalities, particularly focusing on narcissism and psychopathy. Ten Brinke's debut book, 'Poisonous People,' challenges common myths surrounding these traits and provides practical insights for recognizing and dealing with individuals who exhibit them. A fascinating aspect of her research involves the surprisingly telling behavior of yawning; people with psychopathic traits are less likely to yawn in response to others, indicating a lack of emotional contagion that is typically observed in social interactions.

The conversation delves into the broader concept of 'poisonous people,' defined by Leanne as those who score high on the dark tetrad, which includes psychopathy, Machiavellianism, narcissism, and sadism. She explains that these overlapping traits can lead to manipulative and antagonistic behaviors. Interestingly, while many people may exhibit some level of these traits, a small percentage—about 10%—admit to high levels, which is surprising given the stigma around such admissions. The episode highlights the importance of recognizing these traits not just in clinical contexts but in everyday social interactions, helping listeners to navigate relationships with potentially toxic individuals.

Key Insights

• Yawning can be a surprising indicator of psychopathic traits, as those with such traits are less likely to yawn in response to others.
• The dark tetrad includes psychopathy, Machiavellianism, narcissism, and sadism, all of which can manifest in various manipulative behaviors.
• People with high levels of dark traits often do not feel the need to change their behavior, as they do not experience remorse or shame.
• Self-reported measures can be revealing, as individuals with these traits often openly admit to their callousness and entitlement.

Key Questions Answered

What research supports the yawning behavior in psychopaths?

Ten Brinke discusses studies showing that individuals with psychopathic traits are less likely to yawn in response to others. This lack of emotional reflexivity highlights a fundamental difference in how they interact with their environment. People typically react to social cues like yawning, but those with psychopathic traits tend to be disconnected from such reflexive behaviors, raising important questions about their social awareness.

How does the dark tetrad affect interpersonal relationships?

The dark tetrad consists of psychopathy, Machiavellianism, narcissism, and sadism, each contributing to a range of hostile and manipulative behaviors. Ten Brinke explains that these traits overlap in areas like callousness and antagonism, which can lead to significant conflict in social interactions. Recognizing these traits can help individuals navigate their relationships more effectively and protect themselves from toxic behaviors.

What are the signs of a poisonous person?

Leanne defines poisonous people as those with high levels of traits from the dark tetrad. Some behaviors to watch for include interrupting conversations, ignoring boundaries, and showing a lack of empathy. These behaviors can create a toxic environment and make it challenging to maintain healthy relationships. It's essential to be aware of these signs to mitigate potential negative impacts.

Why do narcissists and psychopaths admit to their traits?

Interestingly, high-functioning narcissists and psychopaths often have no qualms about admitting to their traits. They do not perceive any wrong in feeling superior or lacking empathy. According to Ten Brinke, this self-awareness is a defining characteristic of their personalities, enabling them to navigate social situations with a manipulative edge, as they don’t feel the typical social pressures to conform or change.

What is the importance of measuring dark personality traits?

Measuring dark personality traits is crucial because it helps identify individuals who may cause harm in social interactions. Ten Brinke emphasizes that while some of these traits can be present in everyday people, recognizing when they reach a problematic level is vital for maintaining healthy relationships. Self-report measures can provide insights into someone's personality, but understanding the continuum of these traits is essential for accurate assessment.