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Machiavellianism

Machiavellianism is a personality syndrome characterized by the following components:

  1. Beliefs (attitudes): People with Machiavellian beliefs think that, in interactions with other people, manipulation and deceptive tactics can and even should be used. They tend to believe that manipulation and strategies for influencing others can be effective ways of achieving their goals.

  2. Manipulation skills: Machiavellians possess specific manipulation skills, including the ability to persuade others, understand their motives and goals, and use this information to advance their own interests.

Machiavellianism gets its name from Niccolò Machiavelli, the Italian philosopher and political theorist, author of the treatise «The Prince». His work is considered one of the foundational texts on political manipulation and power. The term «Machiavellianism» is used in modern psychology and sociology to describe certain personality traits and a style of interacting with other people.

Individuals with a high level of Machiavellianism may be more inclined toward strategic thinking, but they may also display self-interested behavior and a lack of empathy for the feelings and needs of others. Machiavellianism can be either a positive or a negative quality, depending on how it is used and in what situations.