Machiavellianism

In psychology, Machiavellianism is a personality construct characterized by manipulating and deceiving others in the pursuit of self-interest. Machiavellianism is commonly studied (with narcissism and psychopathy) as a component of the so-called dark triad of personality. People who use Machiavellian interpersonal strategies (referred to as high Machs) are characterized by four criteria: lack of interpersonal affect, lack of concern for conventional morality, low ideological commitment, and lack of gross psychopathology. Machiavellianism shares some common features with psychopathy (similar to antisocial personality disorder) but is more situation dependent and lacks the pathological lying and anxiety that are usually associated with psychopathic behavior patterns. Although Machiavellianism is not related to intelligence, it is arguably a component of social intelligence. Machiavellian behaviors tend to be highest in late ...