User:Isah1998/Machiavellianism (psychology)

Introduction
In the field of personality psychology, Machiavellianism is a personality trait centered on manipulativeness, callousness, and indifference to morality.[1] Though unrelated to the historical figure or his works, the trait is named after the political philosophy of Niccolò Machiavelli, as psychologists Richard Christie and Florence Geis used edited and truncated statements inspired by his works to study variations in human behaviors.[2][3][4] Their Mach IV test, a 20-question, Likert-scale personality survey, became the standard self-assessment tool and scale of the Machiavellianism construct. Those who score high on the scale (High Machs) are more likely to have a high level of deceitfulness and an unempathetic temperament.[5]

It is one of the dark triad traits, along with narcissism and psychopathy.[6][7] These traits have been associated with underlying mental health disorders.

Origin of the construct
In the 1960s, Richard Christie and Florence L. Geis wanted to analyze those who manipulated others, and developed a test using a selection of statements, including a few truncated and edited sentences from Machiavelli's works as test items, naming the construct "Machiavellianism" after Machiavelli. They wanted to assess whether or not those who were in agreement with the statements would behave differently than others who disagreed, specifically in regards to manipulative actions. Their Mach IV test, a 20-question, Likert-scale personality survey, became the standard self-assessment tool of the Machiavellianism construct. Using their scale, Christie and Geis conducted multiple experimental tests that showed that the interpersonal strategies and behavior of "high Machs" and "low Machs" differ. People scoring high on the scale (high Machs) tend to endorse manipulative statements, and behave accordingly, contrary to those who score lowly (low Machs). Their basic results have been widely replicated. Measured on the Mach IV scale, males score, on average, slightly higher on Machiavellianism than females. Mach IV test influenced the creation of assessment scaled like the Dirty Dozen, which contains 12 items and the Short Dark Triad, composed of 27 items.

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Machiavellianism is one of the three personality traits referred to as the dark triad, along with narcissism and psychopathy. Some psychologists consider Machiavellianism to be essentially a subclinical form of psychopathy, as they both share manipulative tendencies and cold callousness as their primary attributes. '''The approach to testing variables for the dark triad can affect the results of the list of traits. Looking at raw versus residual data, in other words, looking at data for traits that are not predicted, versus those that are, can affect dark triad study results. Traits like narcissism, psychopathy and Machiavellianism are predicted for dark triad personality traits. When these traits are not already predetermined or listed as personality traits for dark triad, certain researchers believe data for unpredicted traits can be viewed more clearly. Using this approach, researchers have reported the dark triad is strongly correlated with less predicted traits like depression and anxiety.  Further research has found dark triad to be correlated with loneness and stress as well. Traits  like narcissism and psychopathy have been linked to addictive behavior, including substance abuse. The desire to self treat mental health and being more likely to be compulsive promotes the addictive behavior.''' More recent research suggests that while Machiavellianism and psychopathy overlap heavily, they are distinct personality constructs. Both personality traits share more personal and social costs compared to narcissism. Psychopathy differs from Machiavellianism only in impulsivity, a lack of long term planning and self control, as psychopaths tend to be reckless. Psychopathy and Machiavellianism

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There are two distinct types of empathy which people use to relate to each other which are referred to as hot and cold empathy. Cold empathy refers to the understanding of how others might react to one's actions or a certain event. Hot empathy refers to the emotional reaction others might have to an event. People high in Machiavellianism tend to have a better understanding of cold empathy and do not feel hot empathy which explains why they are so cold and uncaring.[18] This way of acting is referred to as a cold to hot empathy gap where someone with cold empathy does not realize the full effect of their actions on others.[33] '''Instances of adult bullying or mate poaching have been correlated with the lack of empathy seen in individuals with high Machiavellianism. These traits can be seen in different environments including online/internet space. studies have shown trolling behavior like cyberbullying, non consensual behavior like sexts and unsolicited explicit images or technology based infidelity can be associated with Machiavellianism and its traits.'''

In the workplace[edit]
Main article: Machiavellianism in the workplace

Machiavellianism is also studied by organizational psychologists, especially those who study manipulative behaviors in workplace settings. Workplace behaviors associated with this concept include flattery, deceit, coercion, workplace cheating behaviors, and abusive supervision. Manipulative behaviors in the workplace encompass cheating behaviors because they are ultimately done to advance personal interests through being deceptive. Machiavellianism is highly associated with cutting corners in work environments to complete tasks as well.

Machiavellianism can also have a moderating effect on job pursuit intentions. This is because job seekers have access to so many internet resources that can provide information and background on potential employers. This wide availability of information about an organization's political climate can have a huge effect on the recruiting process. Machiavellianism can be a moderator in this relationship because "this ,trait reflects the extent to which an individual would 'fit' into a highly political work environment". '''Research has found individuals with Dark Triad traits are drawn to entrepreneurship. qualities of confidence charisma and risk taking found in Dark Triad traits are associated with successful entrepreneurship execution.'''