What personality type are most villains?

Murderous Villain Test

This free online 45-question personality test will allow you to compare yourself with the personalities of 20 murderous dictators and terrorists, using a hybrid of the scientific «Big Five» measure of personality and the cognitive theories of C.G. Jung. Furthermore, this test will also match your personality scores with peer-reviewed university studies.

Question 1 of 45

I sometimes worry that people won’t give me my fair share of recognition and credit for the work I contribute.

Yes, people tend to claim credit for work that isn’t theirs, so I have to be on my guard. No, as long as we’re all happy, who cares?

The «Murderous Villain Test» is the property of IDR Labs International but pays homage to the works of C.G. Jung, C.A. Meier, J.H. van der Hoop, M-L von Franz, W. Pauli, I. Myers, K.C. Briggs, P.T. Costa, and R.R. McCrae.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and MBTI are trademarks of the MBTI Trust, Inc., who publish the MBTI test. This website is not affiliated with the MBTI Trust, Inc.

The NEO PI-R ™ is the property of Psychological Assessment Resources. The IPIP-NEO is compiled by Lewis R. Goldberg, Ph.D. and professor of psychology, but is in the public domain. The CT-NEO-IP© is the property of IDR Labs International.

The 20 murderous villains are: Heinrich Himmler, Joseph Goebbels, Hermann Goering, Adolf Hitler, Albert Speer, Karl Doenitz, Rudolf Hess, Joachim von Ribbentrop, Joseph Stalin, Vladimir Putin, Vladimir Lenin, Mao Zedong, Che Guevara, Ulrike Meinhof, Osama bin Laden, Ruhollah Khomeini, Saddam Hussein, Benito Mussolini, Idi Amin, and Muammar Gaddafi.

Although all of them are designed to measure the personality, the Murderous Villain Test should not be confused with the CT-NEO-IP, the IPIP-NEO, the NEO PI-R ™ , or the MBTI ® . However, all of them are personality tests (or personality inventories) for measuring the dimensions of personality. The authors of this online personality test are certified in the use of multiple personality tests and have worked professionally with typology and personality testing. The results of our online Murderous Villain personality test are provided «as-is», and should not be construed as providing professional, medical, or certified advice of any kind. For more on our online personality test, please consult our Terms of Service.

Why Use This Test?

1. Free. This free online personality test is delivered to you free of charge and will allow you to obtain your personality scores in a system that is a hybrid of Jung’s typology and the Big Five system of personality.

2. First of its kind. Our free Murderous Villain personality test has been developed to help you determine your personality scores in a new and unique system of personality, developed specifically by IDR Labs International. Ours is also the first to relate your personality scores to the personality data available on infamous murderous villains.

3. Statistical controls. Test scores are logged into an anonymized database. Statistical analysis of the test is conducted to ensure maximum accuracy and validity of the test scores.

4. Made by professionals. The authors of this test are certified in the use of different personality tests and have worked professionally with typology and personality testing.

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5 Things We Can Learn about INTJs and ENTJs from Fictional Villains

One of the most common stereotypes around Myers-Briggs® types as they relate to the world of fiction is that most villains are NT types. Not all of course (I even have a whole post about the comparatively rare NF-type villains), but it does seem that an unusually large percentage of bad guys in fiction have an NT personality type. Specifically, we see the INTJ “Mastermind” filling the ranks of villains probably more often than any other type. ENTJs might come close, but they’re less often stereotyped as the villain. Maybe they just have better PR teams.

Magneto, Voldemort, Moriarty, Hannibal Lechter, Tywin Lannister, Emperor Palpatine, Rumplestiltskin, The Master, Saruman, Light Yagami, Lex Luthor, Scar, Maleficent, Jaffar — they’re all iconic villains from fiction who are typically typed as INTJs or ENTJs. When taken to a villainous extreme, these clever, calculating personality types can be absolutely terrifying. I even included one villain on each of my lists 7 Fictional Characters You’ll Relate To If You’re An INTJ and 7 Fictional Characters You’ll Relate To If You’re An ENTJ because they villainous versions of these types are such an integral part of fiction.

Casting these types as villains makes for some of the most calculating, clever, and creepy antagonists in fiction. But what (if anything) does it tell us about real-life INTJs and ENTJs? Are they secretly as evil as their fictional counterparts? Or do we stereotype these personalities as “evil” because we simply don’t understand them?

Every person has the potential to use their talents and gifts for good or evil; to choose the light or the dark. This holds true for INTJs and ENTJs, and we do them a great disservice if we assume they’re evil or treat them as the villain without getting to know them as they truly are.

There some great posts out there (like this one from Introvert, Dear) combating the whole “INTJs are villains” thing. Today, though, I want to take some of those villainous stereotypes and see if we can use them to learn something about the real-life INTJs and ENTJs in our lives.

They want others to see their gifts

Most real-life INTJs and ENTJs aren’t trying to get attention in a showy, over-the-top “I need recognition or I’ll take over the world and then they’ll have to notice me” kind of way. But they do want recognition for their gifts. It hurts INTJs and ENTJs when people assume they’re bossy or rude when they try to share their perspectives. Their mental wiring gives them a unique take on the world, one that is often far-seeing and extremely practical. They would love for people to recognize how valuable those gifts can be when used for good.

They’re highly rational

In villain characters, an INTJ’s or ENTJ’s rational personalities are often portrayed as a bad thing. Choosing logic over emotion makes them dangerous because they don’t care about how many people get hurt. In real-life xNTJs, though, their commitment to rational thinking is actually one of their greatest strengths. Healthy versions of these types make decisions based on impersonal facts and they also take into account a deeply held and highly developed value system. The INTJs and ENTJs I know are compassionate, sensitive people who care deeply about doing what is good and right. They just don’t put that side of themselves out there for everyone to see at first.

They have a low tolerance for stupidity

INTJ and ENTJ villains often lament the fact that they’re “surrounded by idiots” (to quote Scar from The Lion King). They’re often the smartest person in the room, they know it, and they have a low tolerance for the failings of lesser creatures. Real-life INTJs and ENTJs don’t typically have a villain-sized ego (in fact, many are hiding a deep insecurity), but they can also struggle when trying to communicate or connect with people who don’t process thoughts the same ways they do. They’re often starving for intellectual conversation and may get frustrated with people who don’t “get” concepts that seem logical and obvious to the xNTJ.

They want to fix the world

If you’ll look back over the list of INTJ and ENTJ villains at the start of this post, you’ll see several that have a vision for how they think the world should work. Magneto wants to fix problems with the way mutants are treated. Palpatine thinks he’d run the galaxy better than anyone else. They go about their goals in ways so twisted that they become villainous, but if their drive to improve things had been directed another way they could have been powerful forces for good. Real-life INTJs and ENTJs often have a deep desire for efficiency, practicality, and sustainable improvements that can change the world for the better. And that’s something we should appreciate about them.

They like to achieve goals

One of the things that makes a Mastermind-type character such a great villain is that they often have big, impressive goals. Watching their complex, ingenious plots gives us a thrill, as does watching the hero try to figure out how to defeat them. In real-life, INTJs and ENTJs are also driven to achieve (non-evil) goals. Most love a challenge, and we need to make sure we don’t treat that as a bad thing.

What are your experiences interacting with or living as an INTJ or ENTJ?

Naughty and Definitely Not Nice: What Characteristics Make a Great Villain

Villains are the characters we love to hate. Or sometimes our love for the villain is equally strong as it is for the protagonist. Why? Because it can be fun to root for the bad guy (speaking in general terms here–not just guys can be bad, obviously).

But readers only root for the villain if you’ve given them a reason to do so. A villain needs depth and development, just like any of your more heroic characters. They need motivation and faults and weaknesses to make them full and complete characters.

For more on how to write a villain, check out this piece.

In this article, we’ll talk a bit more about what makes a great villain, and specifically what characteristics go into making one. We’ll go over:

• The characteristics of a villain
• Some famous villains

Characteristics of a Villian

Manipulation

Manipulation seeks to influence a person’s attitude, beliefs, and behaviors to achieve a desired outcome. Villains use it to control those around them with the goal of achieving their own dastardly ends. The best villains manage to do this with such subtlety that often the victim doesn’t even realize it’s happened until it’s too late. Oops.

Manipulation tactics are sometimes disguised as helpful advice or make use of guilt and indignation to control their victims by making them feel bad for not making the “right” decision or doing what the villain wants.

Villains can also use it to project an air of authority or superiority to appear powerful and in control, thereby making it easier to convince people to do what they want. Manipulative villains are often charming and have charisma, so people are drawn to them in a way that makes them trust even when they shouldn’t. (Maybe you’re already starting to see why people often love the villain.)

They might also lie about their motives, their intentions, and massage the truth, and sometimes manipulators simply resort to good old-fashioned intimidation and threats. Hey whatever works, right?

Controlling

Control is another form of manipulation. A controlling villain will try to take over situations to get what they want. By manipulating people and situations to their advantage, often with little regard for the consequences, villains create chaos and instability to help further their own agenda.

Scheming

Scheming is the lifeblood of any good villain. Without it how will they achieve their goals?

Villains go out and make things happen—they never sit around waiting for life to come to them. A scheming villain is adept at plotting out intricate plans and anticipates how their target might respond to help maximize their own chances of success. They may even use their allies and subordinates to gain the upper hand.

Good schemers are detail-oriented and creative in how they approach problems. When their plans go awry, schemers rarely take responsibility for their actions. They avoid blame and play the victim whenever possible, shifting the attention onto a scapegoat when their plans backfire.

The fun thing about villains is no plan goes too far. From kidnapping and extortion to murder and torture, they aren’t afraid to break laws and cross lines if it means they might succeed.

Self-Serving

A self-serving villain places their own interests before those of anyone else. These villains are motivated by selfish desires and are often more than happy to harm others or bend the rules to get what they want. Self-serving villains will do anything for power, including sacrificing their own allies. I’m starting to see a trend here…

Self-serving villains are usually arrogant, believing they’re untouchable and above the law. These characters can be portrayed as merciless, with a complete disregard for the effects of their actions on others and are often rather egotistical, believing they’re above everyone else and deserve special treatment. Snowflakes unite.

Power-Hungry

Much like many of the traits we’ve already mentioned, power-hungry villains use manipulation and extreme measures to satisfy their goals. A power-hungry villain has a grandiose view of themself, believing they’re above the laws of society, or at least above their own personal morality.

They often have a superiority complex and act as if their power puts them above any and all moral considerations. They typically lack empathy and have a craving for control and take pleasure exerting their will over others.

They also have a tendency to be narcissistic with an inflated sense of self-importance. They feel entitled to whatever power or status they desire or have and aren’t subtle about their pursuit of more. They display Machiavellian tactics, like using deception to get what they want.

Finally, they often commit acts of cruelty, destruction, and murder to maintain their power. They also tend to be highly tyrannical, controlling, and oppressive in how they wield their power, demanding absolute loyalty and obedience from those around them. Sounds like a fun time.

Cruelty and Violence

Cruelty and violence are favorite tools amongst villains (they agreed on this at the Summit of Villains last year), as they attempt to manipulate, control and degrade their victims. This may manifest through psychological, emotional, or physical abuse.

A cruel villain takes joy in the suffering of others, lacking empathy and compassion thanks to their skewed set of morals.

They have a tendency to be selfish and individualistic, and they may even go so far as to villainize their fellow villains. Cruel and violent villains also show a lack of remorse and might be completely unapologetic for their actions, often denying or deflecting responsibility for their wrongdoings.

Unpredictable

Villains often like to be unpredictable—after all, keeping everyone on their toes is a great way to exert control over them. They like to surprise your protagonist and other characters by displaying sudden shifts in their goals and actions. This forces your other characters to react quickly to challenge your villain’s latest scheme. Not only does it keep your characters thinking, it offers something fun and fresh for your reader.

Use their unpredictability to add depth, making your villain more complex and harder to pin down. Some ways to make them unpredictable is to alter how they interact with your main characters. Make them take unexpected risks or unexpectedly turn down opportunities. Villains who act in unexpected ways can help drive the story and push protagonists to their limits.

Vengeful

Revenge is a powerful motivator, and villains are often the ones enacting it on those who have wronged them. Vengefulness often leads to destructive and deadly behavior, where the villain will stop at nothing to achieve their goal, while making those who wronged them suffer mercilessly, obviously.

Vengeance can include physical harm or something like destroying someone’s reputation. Villains often put a lot of time into planning how to get their revenge, ensuring their victim is harmed in the most devastating way possible. Otherwise, where’s the fun?

This gives you, dear writer, lots of chances to add some wild twists and plots to your story.

Famous Villains You’ve Probably Heard Of

Just to wrap things up, let’s look at a few famous villains and the characteristics they possessed that made them so memorable.

The Joker — DC Comics

The Joker is one of the most iconic villains in comic book history. He has no superpowers, but uses his intelligence, wit, and unpredictability to torment both Batman and the citizens of Gotham City. He’s a constant reminder that, no matter how smart and powerful a superhero may be, a clever villain is always a step ahead.

Darth Vader — Star Wars

Darth Vader is a Sith Lord who is responsible for many atrocities, from the destruction of the planet Alderaan to the enslavement of the galaxy. His ruthless tactics, powerful Force abilities, and iconic helmet make him one of the most memorable villains in pop culture. Plus that cape—am I right?

The Terminator — Terminator Series

The Terminator is one of the most frightening villains ever created. He’s a relentless killing machine sent back in time to destroy humanity’s savior. His advanced cybernetic body and implacable drive to complete his mission, along with a lack of empathy or remorse, make him truly formidable.

Hannibal Lecter — Silence of the Lambs

Hannibal Lecter is a truly notorious villain. He is a brilliant but terrifying psychopathic serial killer who outwits everyone around him. He’s iconic due to his sharp wit, frighteningly intelligent mind, and, of course, tendency towards some truly heinous acts. (Or so I’ve been told, because you couldn’t pay me a million dollars to watch this movie.)

Nurse Ratched — One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Nurse Ratched is a rather subtly terrifying villain. She’s the head nurse at a psychiatric hospital, and she uses her authoritarian power to oppress the inmates in her care. Her relentless cruelty and lack of empathy make her one of the most sinister villains of all time.

Now that you’ve got some ideas for drafting up your villain, it’s time to get those nasty deeds on paper. Or more likely on screen. That’s where Dabble Writer can help you. Use the Plot Grid and Notes to keep track of all of your villain’s scheming, plotting, and revenge.

Don’t forget you get to try it free for 14 days to see how easy and simple it is to map out your own villainous schemes.

Nisha Tuli

Nisha J Tuli is a YA and adult fantasy and romance author who specializes in glitter-strewn settings and angst-filled kissing scenes. Give her a feisty heroine, a windswept castle, and a dash of true love and she’ll be lost in the pages forever. When Nisha isn’t writing, it’s probably because one of her two kids needs something (but she loves them anyway). After they’re finally asleep, she can be found curled up with her Kobo or knitting sweaters and scarves, perfect for surviving a Canadian winter.

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