difficultpersontest

Form DPT-45Scale index

The seven traits of a difficult person

In personality research, the opposite of agreeableness is called antagonism. A 2021 study gave 532 university students 234 antagonism items drawn from seven questionnaires and found they grouped into seven related traits (Sleep et al., 2021). Those seven are what this test measures.

They are related but distinct: someone can be domineering without being callous, or mistrustful without being aggressive. Each page below explains one trait, lists its statements and suggests what helps — for you, or when you're dealing with someone else.

  1. 01

    Callousness

    Not much concern for how other people feel or how your actions land on them.

  2. 02

    Grandiosity

    Feeling entitled to special treatment and seeing yourself as above others.

  3. 03

    Domineering

    A strong need to be in charge and to have things done your way.

  4. 04

    Manipulativeness

    Using deception or other people for your own gain.

  5. 05

    Mistrust

    Expecting others to have hidden motives or to let you down.

  6. 06

    Hostile aggression

    Wanting to hurt, get even with or fight other people.

  7. 07

    Risk taking

    Seeking danger and thrills, sometimes at real cost.

Sources

  1. Sleep CE, Crowe ML, Carter NT, Lynam DR, Miller JD (2021). Uncovering the structure of antagonism. Personal Disord 12(4), 300-311. PubMed 34323587 · doiCross-sectional factor analysis. 532 university students answered 234 antagonism items from seven trait measures; a seven-factor solution emerged: callousness, grandiosity, domineering, manipulation, suspiciousness, aggression and risk taking. Limits: One student sample, self-report only. Checked against the abstract only, October 26, 2026.