Machiavellianism

WHAT IS MACHIAVELLIANISM?

Machiavellianism is, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, "the employment of cunning and duplicity in statecraft or in general conduct", deriving from the Italian Renaissance diplomat and writer Niccolò Machiavelli, who wrote Il Principe (The Prince) and other works. "Machiavellian" (and variants) as a word became very popular in the late 16th century in English, though "Machiavellianism" itself is first cited by the OED from 1626. The word has a similar use in modern psychology.

High Machs

High Machs tend to take a more detached, calculating approach in their interaction with other people. They tend to believe most people are concerned only with their own well-being and to depend too much on anyone else is foolish. They believe the best way to get by is to use deception, rewards, promises, flattery, and even punishments to manipulate others into doing their bidding. To them, power may be more important than love.

In terms of big five personality traits, Machiavellians tend to be low on agreeableness and conscientiousness.

Some scholars and researchers have attempted to find a correlation between Machiavellianism and narcissistic personality disorder and psychopathy.

Robert Altemeyer found a correlation between Social dominance orientation and Machiavellianism.

 Resistant to social influence

 Hides personal convictions well

 Changes position in argument readily

 Resistant to confessing

 Highly convincing when telling the truth

 Suspicious of others motives

 Situationally analytical

 Does not assume reciprocity

 Able to change strategy with situation

 Says things others want to hear

 Sensitive to information about others

 Exploitive, but not viciously so

 Exploits more if others cant retaliate

 Not acceptable to appeals for compliance, cooperation, or attitude change

 Never obviously manipulative

 Prefers fluid environment

 Preferred by peers as leader

 Preferred by peers as work partner...