Thick Black Personality Preference Questionnaire – Chinese Version

Description

The concept of “thick black learning” (厚黑学) in China has a long history, dating back to the Warring States period. The Legalist philosopher Han Feizi held that “human nature is inherently evil,” arguing that the self-serving nature of individuals should be a prerequisite for establishing social order. Rulers were advised to combine the methods of “law,” “art,” and “power” to control society and the populace. In modern times, Li Zongwu’s work “Thick Black Learning” has allowed us to explore the cunning strategies employed by historical heroes. Overall, a “thick black” personality is defined as having a “black heart and thick skin.” This definition includes two highly relevant dimensions: “black heart” (心黑), which entails cruelty and a disregard for moral principles, and “thick skin” (皮厚), which includes hypocrisy and shamelessness. Both dimensions are closely interrelated. The roots of a thick black personality lie in the worship of material wealth and power, as well as the disorder of social competition. When discussing thick black learning in China, one cannot overlook the “thick black mentor” Niccolò Machiavelli, who emerged in 16th century Europe. Machiavelli, a prominent Italian politician, playwright, and historian, was a representative of the emerging bourgeoisie during the late Middle Ages in Italy. His seminal work, “The Prince,” advocates that the political actions of a ruler should not be constrained by moral standards; any means that help to achieve objectives, including violence, deceit, and betrayal, are permissible. As Machiavelli stated, “For the sake of a noble goal, the most despicable means may be used.”

Authors and Contact Email

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Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the tendency toward a thick black personality and students’ intentions to cheat on exams and engage in bribery.

Test Year

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Administration Method and Scoring

The Thick Black Personality Tendency Questionnaire was administered to 179 students from Central China Normal University, consisting of 70 male and 107 female students, including 30 first-year students and 53 graduate students. After excluding two invalid questionnaires, a total of 177 valid data entries were collected, including 31 second-year, 31 third-year, 32 fourth-year, and 53 graduate students.

Reliability and Validity

The Thick Black Personality Tendency Questionnaire compiled by authors including Tang Shujun demonstrates good reliability and validity. However, the distribution of items across each dimension is uneven, and the results do not sufficiently highlight the most essential personality traits of a thick black personality, specifically the two critical indicators of “black heart” (心黑) and “thick skin” (皮厚).

Factors and Subscales

The questionnaire comprises two main strategies, which are highly interrelated:
– 目标达成策略 (Goal Achievement Strategy)
– 道德规避策略 (Moral Avoidance Strategy)

Keywords

Thick Black Learning, Personality Tendency, Cheating Intention, Bribery Intention, Moral Principles

Items in Chinese

1. 做人就要心狠手辣
2. 做事，就是要利用各种手段
3. 要把事情做成功，就讲不了太多的道德原则
4. 做大事的人，就需要舍弃很多道德原则
5. 做人就是要虚伪一点，道德什么的只是说说，不能当真
6. 做人就要用仁义道德来包装自己，至于实际上怎么做是另外一回事
7. 对于做大事的人，仁义廉耻只不过一张遮羞布而已
8. 做人，仁义道德只是拿来做挡箭牌而已

Items in English

1. One must be ruthless in doing things.
2. In doing things, one should utilize various means.
3. To succeed, one cannot adhere too strictly to moral principles.
4. To achieve great things, many moral principles must be abandoned.
5. One should be somewhat hypocritical; morals are merely a facade.
6. One must use morality to disguise oneself, while actual actions are another story.
7. For those who achieve great things, morality is just a cover.
8. Morality is merely a shield for one’s actions.

References

张子涵. 厚黑人格倾向对大学生考试作弊意向和行贿意向的影响[D].华中师范大学,2015.