Chinese Machiavellian Personality Questionnaire – Chinese Version

Description

Thick Black Theory is a philosophy of innate human evil that has been passed down in China. Based on the assertion of human evil, it involves a general view and fundamental perspective on human nature and interpersonal relationships, embodying a value system that embraces malice towards others. The Thick Black personality is a fixation and internalization of Thick Black Theory within individuals, characterized by a typical trait of achieving goals through any means, manipulating others, and pursuing personal gain. The expression of Thick Black personality is influenced by China’s customs and social culture, often manifesting in unique Chinese ways such as being “hypocritical,” “skilled at pretending,” “doing without speaking,” “saying one thing but doing another,” “outwardly ethical while secretly immoral,” and so forth. Domestic researchers suggest that the Thick Black personality has two layers of meaning. First, humans have learned the skills of manipulating others through extensive social interactions over a long evolutionary process, a manipulation that is devoid of notions of cooperation or exploitation. Second, from the dark side of management and leadership, it specifically refers to exploitative non-cooperation (lack of emotional connections in interpersonal relationships; lack of attention to traditional morality; viewing others in a utilitarian rather than moral light; regarding others instrumentally rather than rationally; focusing on completing tasks rather than long-term goals).

Authors and Contact Email

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Purpose

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Test Year

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Administration Method and Scoring

Using the Likert five-point scoring method, “1” indicates strong disagreement, “2” indicates partial disagreement, “3” indicates neutrality, “4” indicates partial agreement, and “5” indicates strong agreement.

Reliability and Validity

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Factors and Subscales

1. 性恶推断 (Inference of Evil Nature) – 4.1819±0.8093
2. 手段扭曲 (Distortion of Means) – 4.3125±0.9466
3. 感情冷漠 (Emotional Indifference) – 4.7931±0.9257
4. 利益执着 (Obsessiveness Towards Interests) – 4.5337±0.6721

Keywords

Thick Black Theory, human nature, manipulation, interpersonal relationships, Chinese culture, unethical behavior.

Items in Chinese

1. 人都是为自己的
2. 世俗的丑陋早已驱逐了人本性中善良真诚的一面
3. 只要有机会，人邪恶的一面就会暴露出来
4. 最安全的处世原则就是假定人性恶
5. 说是一套，做需要另一套
6. 歪门邪道能解决问题
7. 不走捷径就很难成功
8. 遇非常事，用非常法
9. 感情都是建立在名利基础之上的
10. 讲感情最后都是要吃亏的
11. 人与人之间没有什么真正的感情
12. 无情才能无敌
13. 不达目的，不能罢休
14. 挫折只是告诉我需要换用另一种方法
15. 坚持才能成功

Items in English

1. Everyone is for themselves.
2. The ugliness of the secular world has already driven away the good and sincere side of human nature.
3. Given the opportunity, the evil side of people will be revealed.
4. The safest principle for living is to assume evil in human nature.
5. What is said is one thing; what is done needs to be another.
6. Deceptive methods can solve problems.
7. It is hard to succeed without taking shortcuts.
8. In extraordinary situations, use extraordinary methods.
9. Emotions are built on the foundation of fame and profit.
10. In the end, emphasizing feelings will lead to loss.
11. There are no genuine feelings between people.
12. Being ruthless can make one invincible.
13. Without achieving the goal, one cannot rest.
14. Frustration simply tells me that I need to employ another method.
15. Persistence is the key to success.

References

汤舒俊, 郭永玉. 中国人厚黑人格的结构及其问卷编制[J]. 心理学探新, 2015, 35(001):72-77. 尹旭超. 企业员工厚黑人格与亲组织不道德行为[D]. 南京师范大学, 2020. DOI: 10.27245/d.cnki.gnjsu.2020.002262.