Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOrigins of the ConceptTraitsHow Can You Tell If Someone Is Machiavellian?Machiavellianism and the Dark TriadHow to Deal With Someone Who Has a Machiavellian PersonalityFAQ

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Origins of the Concept

Traits

How Can You Tell If Someone Is Machiavellian?

Machiavellianism and the Dark Triad

How to Deal With Someone Who Has a Machiavellian Personality

FAQ

Close

Someone who has a Machiavellian personality may ruthlessly deceive ormanipulateothers in order to meet their own goals.They may treat other people as mere objects that can help them get what they want and discard them when they no longer have use for them.

This article explores the signs of ​​a Machiavellian personality, discusses the Machiavellian scale, and suggests some strategies that can help you cope with a Machiavellian person in your life.

Where Did the Concept of Machiavellianism Come From?

In his book, “Il Principe” (The Prince), Machiavelli posits that rulers who are brutal in their quest for power and glory are more likely to survive, succeed, and pass their genes onto future generations than those who are honest or moral.

Machiavellianism became a term to describe behavior where a person will do anything to get ahead, believing that the end result justifies the means.

Traits of a Machiavellian Person

Someone with a Machiavellian personality may display the following traits:

While any person of any age may have a Machiavellian personality, research shows that Machiavellian personality traits tend to be more common in men than women.

How to Tell if Someone Is Lying

If you’re wondering if someone is Machiavellian, there is a test that can be used to determine whether or not they are.

The Mach-IV TestA scale known as the Mach-IV test is used to assess whether or not someone has Machiavellian personality traits.

The Mach-IV Test

A scale known as the Mach-IV test is used to assess whether or not someone has Machiavellian personality traits.

The test has a list of 20 statements and participants have to give each statement a ranking from 1 (completely disagree) to 7 (completely agree).

Half of the statements on the test demonstrate Machiavellian attitudes, such as “The best way to handle people is to tell them what they want to hear,” or “Anyone who completely trusts anyone else is asking for trouble.” The other 10 statements convey anti-Machiavellian attitudes, such as “One should take action only when one is sure it ismorally right.”

Possible Test ResultsThe test is scored out of 100 points. People are categorized based on their scores:High Machs:People who score above 60 points on the test are considered high Machs as they demonstrate Machiavellian personality traits.Low Machs:People who score below 60 points are considered low Machs as they are more trusting, empathetic, and positive. People who score very low on this test may have submissive tendencies.

Possible Test Results

The test is scored out of 100 points. People are categorized based on their scores:High Machs:People who score above 60 points on the test are considered high Machs as they demonstrate Machiavellian personality traits.Low Machs:People who score below 60 points are considered low Machs as they are more trusting, empathetic, and positive. People who score very low on this test may have submissive tendencies.

The test is scored out of 100 points. People are categorized based on their scores:

A separate scale known as the Kiddie Mach has also been developed to assess Machiavellianism in children.

Machiavellianism often goes hand in hand with other negative personality traits, forming what is known as thedark triad personality.

What Makes Up the Dark Triad Personality?

The dark triad personality includes the following traits:

People withdark triad personality traitstend to exploit others’ vulnerabilities and may harm them physically or emotionally.

These are some strategies that can help you cope with a Machiavellian personality in your life:

Signs Someone Is Using You

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked QuestionsMachiavellianism is not good, because people with Machiavellian traits tend to manipulate or deceive others in order to meet their goals.Research shows that people with Machiavellian traits tend to take a negative, cautious, and distrustful attitude to intimate relationships.They find it difficult to be warm, open, agreeable, trusting, and loyal to others, including romantic partners.Machiavellianism is linked to poor relationship quality and low relationship satisfaction.Machiavellianism and narcissism are both part of the dark triad and often go hand in hand as they have several common characteristics, including a marked disregard for others.However, they are not exactly the same thing. Machiavellianism is more focused on manipulating others to achieve one’s goals, whereas narcissism is more focused on seeking attention and admiration for oneself.

Machiavellianism is not good, because people with Machiavellian traits tend to manipulate or deceive others in order to meet their goals.

Research shows that people with Machiavellian traits tend to take a negative, cautious, and distrustful attitude to intimate relationships.They find it difficult to be warm, open, agreeable, trusting, and loyal to others, including romantic partners.Machiavellianism is linked to poor relationship quality and low relationship satisfaction.

Research shows that people with Machiavellian traits tend to take a negative, cautious, and distrustful attitude to intimate relationships.They find it difficult to be warm, open, agreeable, trusting, and loyal to others, including romantic partners.

Machiavellianism is linked to poor relationship quality and low relationship satisfaction.

Machiavellianism and narcissism are both part of the dark triad and often go hand in hand as they have several common characteristics, including a marked disregard for others.However, they are not exactly the same thing. Machiavellianism is more focused on manipulating others to achieve one’s goals, whereas narcissism is more focused on seeking attention and admiration for oneself.

Machiavellianism and narcissism are both part of the dark triad and often go hand in hand as they have several common characteristics, including a marked disregard for others.

However, they are not exactly the same thing. Machiavellianism is more focused on manipulating others to achieve one’s goals, whereas narcissism is more focused on seeking attention and admiration for oneself.

Dark Empaths: Is There Such a Thing as a Worst Personality Type?

12 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Machiavellianism.Miller BK, Nicols K, Konopaske R.Measurement invariance tests of revisions to archaically worded items in the Mach IV scale.PLoS One. 2019;14(10):e0223504. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0223504American Psychological Association.Machiavellian hypothesis.Jaffé ME, Greifeneder R, Reinhard MA.Manipulating the odds: The effects of Machiavellianism and construal level on cheating behavior.PLoS One. 2019;14(11):e0224526. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0224526Al Aïn S, Carré A, Fantini-Hauwel C, Baudouin JY, Besche-Richard C.What is the emotional core of the multidimensional Machiavellian personality trait?Front Psychol. 2013;4:454. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00454Collison KL, South S, Vize CE, Miller JD, Lynam DR.Exploring gender differences in Machiavellianism using a measurement invariance approach.J Pers Assess. 2021;103(2):258-266. doi:10.1080/00223891.2020.1729773Láng A.Mama Mach and Papa Mach: Parental Machiavellianism in relation to dyadic coparenting and adolescents' perception of parental behaviour.Eur J Psychol. 2018;14(1):107-124. doi:10.5964/ejop.v14i1.1474Birkas B, Csatho A.Size the day: The time perspectives of the dark triad.Personality and Individual Differences. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2015.06.035Black P, Woodworth M, Porter S.The big bad wolf? The relation between the dark triad and the interpersonal assessment of vulnerability.Personality and Individual Differences. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2013.10.026Ináncsi T, Pilinszki A, Paál T, Láng A.Perceptions of close relationship through the Machiavellians´ dark glasses: negativity, distrust, self-protection against risk and dissatisfaction.Eur J Psychol. 2018;14(4):806-830. doi:10.5964/ejop.v14i4.1550Ináncsi T, Láng A, Bereczkei T.A darker shade of love: Machiavellianism and positive assortative mating based on romantic ideals.Eur J Psychol. 2016;12(1):137-152. doi:10.5964/ejop.v12i1.1007Brewer G, Abell L.Machiavellianism, relationship satisfaction, and romantic relationship quality.Eur J Psychol. 2017;13(3):491-502. doi:10.5964/ejop.v13i3.1217Additional ReadingLáng A.Mama Mach and Papa Mach: Parental Machiavellianism in relation to dyadic coparenting and adolescents' perception of parental behaviour.Eur J Psychol. 2018;14(1):107-124. doi:10.5964/ejop.v14i1.1474

12 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Machiavellianism.Miller BK, Nicols K, Konopaske R.Measurement invariance tests of revisions to archaically worded items in the Mach IV scale.PLoS One. 2019;14(10):e0223504. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0223504American Psychological Association.Machiavellian hypothesis.Jaffé ME, Greifeneder R, Reinhard MA.Manipulating the odds: The effects of Machiavellianism and construal level on cheating behavior.PLoS One. 2019;14(11):e0224526. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0224526Al Aïn S, Carré A, Fantini-Hauwel C, Baudouin JY, Besche-Richard C.What is the emotional core of the multidimensional Machiavellian personality trait?Front Psychol. 2013;4:454. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00454Collison KL, South S, Vize CE, Miller JD, Lynam DR.Exploring gender differences in Machiavellianism using a measurement invariance approach.J Pers Assess. 2021;103(2):258-266. doi:10.1080/00223891.2020.1729773Láng A.Mama Mach and Papa Mach: Parental Machiavellianism in relation to dyadic coparenting and adolescents' perception of parental behaviour.Eur J Psychol. 2018;14(1):107-124. doi:10.5964/ejop.v14i1.1474Birkas B, Csatho A.Size the day: The time perspectives of the dark triad.Personality and Individual Differences. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2015.06.035Black P, Woodworth M, Porter S.The big bad wolf? The relation between the dark triad and the interpersonal assessment of vulnerability.Personality and Individual Differences. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2013.10.026Ináncsi T, Pilinszki A, Paál T, Láng A.Perceptions of close relationship through the Machiavellians´ dark glasses: negativity, distrust, self-protection against risk and dissatisfaction.Eur J Psychol. 2018;14(4):806-830. doi:10.5964/ejop.v14i4.1550Ináncsi T, Láng A, Bereczkei T.A darker shade of love: Machiavellianism and positive assortative mating based on romantic ideals.Eur J Psychol. 2016;12(1):137-152. doi:10.5964/ejop.v12i1.1007Brewer G, Abell L.Machiavellianism, relationship satisfaction, and romantic relationship quality.Eur J Psychol. 2017;13(3):491-502. doi:10.5964/ejop.v13i3.1217Additional ReadingLáng A.Mama Mach and Papa Mach: Parental Machiavellianism in relation to dyadic coparenting and adolescents' perception of parental behaviour.Eur J Psychol. 2018;14(1):107-124. doi:10.5964/ejop.v14i1.1474

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Psychological Association.Machiavellianism.Miller BK, Nicols K, Konopaske R.Measurement invariance tests of revisions to archaically worded items in the Mach IV scale.PLoS One. 2019;14(10):e0223504. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0223504American Psychological Association.Machiavellian hypothesis.Jaffé ME, Greifeneder R, Reinhard MA.Manipulating the odds: The effects of Machiavellianism and construal level on cheating behavior.PLoS One. 2019;14(11):e0224526. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0224526Al Aïn S, Carré A, Fantini-Hauwel C, Baudouin JY, Besche-Richard C.What is the emotional core of the multidimensional Machiavellian personality trait?Front Psychol. 2013;4:454. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00454Collison KL, South S, Vize CE, Miller JD, Lynam DR.Exploring gender differences in Machiavellianism using a measurement invariance approach.J Pers Assess. 2021;103(2):258-266. doi:10.1080/00223891.2020.1729773Láng A.Mama Mach and Papa Mach: Parental Machiavellianism in relation to dyadic coparenting and adolescents' perception of parental behaviour.Eur J Psychol. 2018;14(1):107-124. doi:10.5964/ejop.v14i1.1474Birkas B, Csatho A.Size the day: The time perspectives of the dark triad.Personality and Individual Differences. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2015.06.035Black P, Woodworth M, Porter S.The big bad wolf? The relation between the dark triad and the interpersonal assessment of vulnerability.Personality and Individual Differences. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2013.10.026Ináncsi T, Pilinszki A, Paál T, Láng A.Perceptions of close relationship through the Machiavellians´ dark glasses: negativity, distrust, self-protection against risk and dissatisfaction.Eur J Psychol. 2018;14(4):806-830. doi:10.5964/ejop.v14i4.1550Ináncsi T, Láng A, Bereczkei T.A darker shade of love: Machiavellianism and positive assortative mating based on romantic ideals.Eur J Psychol. 2016;12(1):137-152. doi:10.5964/ejop.v12i1.1007Brewer G, Abell L.Machiavellianism, relationship satisfaction, and romantic relationship quality.Eur J Psychol. 2017;13(3):491-502. doi:10.5964/ejop.v13i3.1217

American Psychological Association.Machiavellianism.

Miller BK, Nicols K, Konopaske R.Measurement invariance tests of revisions to archaically worded items in the Mach IV scale.PLoS One. 2019;14(10):e0223504. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0223504

American Psychological Association.Machiavellian hypothesis.

Jaffé ME, Greifeneder R, Reinhard MA.Manipulating the odds: The effects of Machiavellianism and construal level on cheating behavior.PLoS One. 2019;14(11):e0224526. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0224526

Al Aïn S, Carré A, Fantini-Hauwel C, Baudouin JY, Besche-Richard C.What is the emotional core of the multidimensional Machiavellian personality trait?Front Psychol. 2013;4:454. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00454

Collison KL, South S, Vize CE, Miller JD, Lynam DR.Exploring gender differences in Machiavellianism using a measurement invariance approach.J Pers Assess. 2021;103(2):258-266. doi:10.1080/00223891.2020.1729773

Láng A.Mama Mach and Papa Mach: Parental Machiavellianism in relation to dyadic coparenting and adolescents' perception of parental behaviour.Eur J Psychol. 2018;14(1):107-124. doi:10.5964/ejop.v14i1.1474

Birkas B, Csatho A.Size the day: The time perspectives of the dark triad.Personality and Individual Differences. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2015.06.035

Black P, Woodworth M, Porter S.The big bad wolf? The relation between the dark triad and the interpersonal assessment of vulnerability.Personality and Individual Differences. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2013.10.026

Ináncsi T, Pilinszki A, Paál T, Láng A.Perceptions of close relationship through the Machiavellians´ dark glasses: negativity, distrust, self-protection against risk and dissatisfaction.Eur J Psychol. 2018;14(4):806-830. doi:10.5964/ejop.v14i4.1550

Ináncsi T, Láng A, Bereczkei T.A darker shade of love: Machiavellianism and positive assortative mating based on romantic ideals.Eur J Psychol. 2016;12(1):137-152. doi:10.5964/ejop.v12i1.1007

Brewer G, Abell L.Machiavellianism, relationship satisfaction, and romantic relationship quality.Eur J Psychol. 2017;13(3):491-502. doi:10.5964/ejop.v13i3.1217

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