Machiavellianism Test (MACH-IV)

What is Machiavellianism?

Machiavellianism is a personality trait characterized by a cynical distrust of human nature, a cynical view of human motivations, and a focus on self-interest. It is named after the Italian political philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli, who wrote about the use of cunning and deception to achieve one’s goals.

Machiavellianism is a personality trait characterized by a cynical distrust of human nature, a cynical view of human motivations, and a focus on self-interest. It is named after the Italian political philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli, who wrote about the use of cunning and deception to achieve one’s goals.

The Machiavellianism Test (MACH-IV) is a self-report questionnaire that is used to measure Machiavellianism. It was developed by Richard Christie and Florence L. Geis in 1970. The MACH-IV consists of 20 items, each of which is a statement about human nature. Respondents are asked to indicate how strongly they agree or disagree with each statement.

The MACH-IV has been shown to be a reliable and valid measure of Machiavellianism. It has been used in a variety of research studies, and it has been found to be related to a number of other personality traits, including narcissism, psychopathy, and psychopathy.

Machiavellianism is a complex personality trait, and it is not always clear what motivates people who score high on the MACH-IV. Some people who score high on the MACH-IV may be motivated by a desire to achieve power and status, while others may be motivated by a fear of being taken advantage of.

Machiavellianism can have both positive and negative consequences. On the one hand, Machiavellians may be more successful in their personal and professional lives. They may be more likely to achieve their goals, and they may be more likely to be promoted at work. On the other hand, Machiavellians may also be more likely to engage in unethical or immoral behavior. They may be more likely to lie, cheat, and steal in order to get what they want.

The MACH-IV is a useful tool for researchers who are interested in studying Machiavellianism. It is also a useful tool for clinicians who are working with people who may have Machiavellian personality traits.

References

  • Christie, R., & Geis, F. L. (1970). Studies in Machiavellianism. New York: Academic Press.
  • DeShong, H., Douglas, K. M., & Sutton, R. M. (2017). Machiavellianism, unethical behavior, and organizational outcomes: A meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 102(3), 591-606.
  • Rauthmann, J. F. (2013). The two-dimensional Machiavellianism (TDM) scale: A revision of the Mach IV scale. Psychological Assessment, 25(3), 868-879.

What is the MACH-IV test?

The MACH-IV is a self-report questionnaire that is used to measure Machiavellianism. It was developed by Richard Christie and Florence L. Geis in 1970. The MACH-IV consists of 20 items, each of which is a statement about human nature. Respondents are asked to indicate how strongly they agree or disagree with each statement.

What are the benefits of taking the MACH-IV test?

The MACH-IV test can be used for a variety of purposes, including:

  • Self-awareness: The MACH-IV test can help you to better understand your own personality traits, including your level of Machiavellianism.
  • Career development: The MACH-IV test can help you to make informed decisions about your career, such as whether or not a particular job or field of work is a good fit for your personality.
  • Relationships: The MACH-IV test can help you to better understand your relationships with others, and to identify potential areas of conflict.
  • Therapy: The MACH-IV test can be used by therapists to assess the personality traits of their clients, and to develop treatment plans that are tailored to the individual client’s needs.

What are the limitations of the MACH-IV test?

The MACH-IV test is a self-report questionnaire, which means that it is subject to the same limitations as any other self-report measure. For example, respondents may be tempted to answer the questions in a way that they think is socially desirable, rather than in a way that is accurate. Additionally, the MACH-IV test is only a measure of one personality trait, and it does not take into account the other personality traits that may influence an individual’s behavior.

What are some tips for taking the MACH-IV test?

  • Be honest with yourself. The MACH-IV test is designed to measure your true level of Machiavellianism, so it is important to be honest with yourself when answering the questions.
  • Take your time. The MACH-IV test is only 20 items long, so there is no need to rush through it. Take your time to read each question carefully and to answer it honestly.
  • Consider your own experiences. When answering the questions on the MACH-IV test, it can be helpful to consider your own experiences. Have you ever found yourself using cunning or deception to achieve your goals? Have you ever been accused of being manipulative or untrustworthy?

Machiavellianism Test (MACH-IV)

Procedure
The test consists of twenty items. Each item is a statement that you must indicate how accurate it would be when applied to you. It should take 2 – 5 minutes to complete.

1.    Never tell anyone the real reason you did something unless it is useful to do so.
2.    The best way to handle people is to tell them what they want to hear.
3.    One should take action only when sure it is morally right.
4.    Most people are basically good and kind.
5.    It is safest to assume that all people have a vicious streak and it will come out when they are given a chance.
6.    Honesty is the best policy in all cases.
7.    There is no excuse for lying to someone else.
8.    Generally speaking‚ people won’t work hard unless they’re forced to do so.
9.    All in all‚ it is better to be humble and honest than to be important and dishonest.
10.When you ask someone to do something for you‚ it is best to give the real reasons for wanting it rather than giving reasons which carry more weight.
11.Most people who get ahead in the world lead clean‚ moral lives.
12.Anyone who completely trusts anyone else is asking for trouble.
13.The biggest difference between most criminals and other people is that the criminals are stupid enough to get caught.
14.Most people are brave.
15.It is wise to flatter important people.
16.It is possible to be good in all respects.
17.P.T. Barnum was wrong when he said that there’s a sucker born every minute.
18.It is hard to get ahead without cutting corners here and there.
19.People suffering from incurable diseases should have the choice of being put painlessly to death.
20.Most people forget more easily the death of their parents than the loss of their property.
 
  • 1- strongly disagree‚
  • 2- moderately disagree‚
  • 3- slightly disagree‚
  • 4- neutral‚
  • 5- slightly agree‚
  • 6- moderately agree‚
  • 7- strongly agree
 

Christie‚ R.‚ and F. L. Geis. (1970) “How devious are you? Take the Machiavelli test to find out.” Journal of Management in Engineering 15.4: 17

Christie‚ R. & Geis‚ F. (1970) “Studies in Machiavellianism”. NY: Academic Press.

Corral‚ Susana and Calvete‚ Esther. (2000). Machiavellianism: Dimensionality of the Mach IV and its Relation to Self-Monitoring in a Spanish Sample. The Spanish Journal of Psychology The Spanish Journal of Psychology‚ 3(1); 3-13

 
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Related terms:

  1. Machiavellianism Test (MACH-IV)
  2. Machiavellianism Scales (Mach Scales)
  3. Kiddie Machiavellianism Test
  4. Machiavellianism V Attitude Inventory
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  6. Test Re-Test
  7. TEST-STUDY-TEST METHOD
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