WorkLife with Adam Grant

ReThinking: How to Spot Psychopaths and Narcissists, with Leanne Ten Brinke

In this episode of Rethinking, Adam Grant talks with social psychologist Leanne ten Brinke about the science of dark personalities—psychopathy, narcissism, Machiavellianism, and sadism—collectively called the dark tetrad. Ten Brinke explains how subtle cues like reduced contagious yawning, atypical facial scanning, and mismatched emotional expressions can signal these traits, and she describes tools such as brief behavioral checklists that help spot them. She also discusses the continuum of these traits, why many poisonous people lack motivation to change, and the cultural debate over labeling individuals as "toxic." The conversation blends research findings with practical advice for recognizing and navigating interactions with dark personalities.