Machiavellianism (psychology)
Machiavellianism in psychology is defined as a manipulative strategy of social interaction and personality style that uses other people as tools to achieve for personal gain.[1] The psychological condition of Machiavellianism is allegedly named for the political philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli.
According to PsychCentral.com:
| “ | “A Machiavellian personality is manipulative and strategic,” says Aimee Daramus, a clinical psychologist in Chicago. “When they have a goal, they think through how to achieve it very skillfully, but without any consideration for the feelings of other people involved.”
They might also use manipulative behaviors to get what they want, as well as deception or exploitation. They often come off as unemotional. Machiavellianism tends to be more commonTrusted Source in men, but it can affectTrusted Source anyone and at any age. “When interacting with them, you might find their behavior charming and engaging, and yet you never really feel ‘close’ to them,” says clinical psychologist Dr. Bethany Cook. “They lack empathy.” Unlike a narcissist, they will seek to gain their goals without becoming the center of attention. “They tend to enjoy being the person pulling the strings, rather than the puppet on the stage,” Cook says.[2] |
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Contents
Symptoms of the psychological Machiavellian personality type
Symptoms of the Machiavellian personality type are:[3][4][5]
- Possesses a shallow emotional experience due to two psychological components: 1) A deficit in feeling and identifying personal emotions, such as alexithymia. Alexithymia is commonly defined as the absence of the words required to express emotions and feelings (Sifneos, 1973). 2) inability to experience pleasure, such as anhedonia, i.e., deficits that are relatively common in both clinical and non-clinical populations.
- Void of empathy
- Frequently uses manipulative interpersonal strategies such as flattery and lying
- Inconsistent success in manipulating others. Not all Machiavellian personalities are adept as others at manipulating others
- Obsession with personal power
- Excessive time thinking versus doing due to too much time spent plotting vs. doing
Machiavellianism and the dark triad of personality traits
See also: Dark Triad personality traits
According to the psychological theory of the Dark Triad personality type, the three Dark Triad personality subtypes are subclinical narcissism, Machiavellianism and subclinical psychopath.[6][7][8]
"The “Dark Triad” personality traits are a toxic amalgamation of various negative traits and behaviors, such as they are domineering, violent, volatile, manipulative, remorseless, cynical, deceitful, etc."[9]
Health.com states concerning people with dark triad traits and one of the best ways to deal with them: "...people with dark triad personality traits may be able to change, but the likelihood of that happening is "minuscule," noted Hokemeyer. "The personality traits that make up a dark triad are deeply ingrained in their psyche and highly resistant to any sort of challenge that would manifest a change. The best strategy is to move away from them as quickly as possible."[10]
Unlike the other personalities in the Dark Triad, Machiavellianism is not referred to in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for mental disorder V (DSM V).[11]
White-collar crime and Machiavellianism
Research indicates that individuals high in Machiavellianism are more likely to engage in white-collar crimes.[12][13][14]
Books
- Machiavellianism: The Psychology of Manipulation by Tamás Bereczkei, Routledge; 1st edition (December 15, 2017)
See also
External links
- How is Machiavellianism different from Psychopathy and Narcissism? | The Dark Triad Traits by Dr. Todd Grande
- Machiavellianism vs Narcissism: The KEY Differences, Orange County Therapist
- How to Identify Machiavellian Behavior in a Conversation, Psychology Element
- 7 Signs of Machiavellianism: The Unexplained Dark Triad Trait, Psychology Element
References
- ↑ Harriet B. Braiker (2004). Who's pulling your strings? How to break the cycle of manipulation and regain the control of your life. The McGraw Hill, 85. ISBN 0-07-144672-9.
- ↑ All About Machiavellianism, PsychCentral.com
- ↑ All About Machiavellianism, PsychCentral.com
- ↑ What is the emotional core of the multidimensional Machiavellian personality trait?, Frontiers in Psycholology, 22 July 2013 Sec. Personality and Social Psychology, Volume 4 - 2013 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00454
- ↑ Machiavellianism, American Psychological Association website
- ↑ Rethinking aversive personality: Decomposing the Dark Triad traits into their common core and unique flavors, Journal of Personality. 2022 Oct 18. doi: 10.1111/jopy.12785. Online ahead of print.
- ↑ The Dark Triad of personality: Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy, Journal of Research in Personality Volume 36, Issue 6, December 2002, Pages 556-563
- ↑ Dark triad - psychology, Encylopedia Britannica
- ↑ How to Identify And Deal With a “Dark Triad” Personality
- ↑ What Is the Dark Triad and Why Are People With These Traits So Dangerous?, Health.com, 2022
- ↑ https://deborahbyrnepsychologyservices.com/what-is-machiavellianism/#
- ↑ Konnikova, Maria (10 January 2017). The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It . . . Every Time. Penguin. ISBN 9780143109877.
- ↑ Tang, Thomas Li‐Ping, Yuh‐Jia Chen, and Toto Sutarso. "Bad apples in bad (business) barrels: The love of money, Machiavellianism, risk tolerance, and unethical behavior." Management Decision 46.2 (2008): 243-263.
- ↑ Utami, I., Wijono, S., Noviyanti, S., & Mohamed, N. (2019). Fraud diamond, Machiavellianism and fraud intention. International Journal of Ethics and Systems.
