Chances are, you have crossed paths with a Machiavellian personality at some point.
Maybe it was through a romantic relationship, a workplace encounter, or while listening to a political leader.
Below, mental health experts share how to spot and how to cope with the Machiavellian in your life.
What is Machiavellianism?
Machiavellianism is a personality trait describing someone who is deeply manipulative, prone to lying, and cynical.
Yet, they typically show no signs of gross psychopathology or cognitive deficits.
Over the decades, researchers have struggled to grasp a theoretical foothold on this trait.
Signs you’re dealing with a Machiavellian.
“But what I will say is to look out for the pervasiveness of the said behavior.”
They will bend rules, trick people, and fake sympathy to gain favors, McIntosh says.
They can be charming at first but later resort to more aggressive tactics like bullying.
Overall, they lack morals and are more than willing to cause harm to get what they want.
(Here ishow to recognize manipulation, for what it’s worth.)
Money and power mean more to them than relationships with people.
Deceit
Machiavellians understand that having information is useful.
They often do not share information with others unless it is in their favor to do so.
They may manipulate otherwise innocuous information and can be very crafty about taking information out of context.
Unemotional
Machiavellians lack empathy and compassion.
Despite their strength in manipulating others,past research2suggests Machiavellians actually tend to be lessemotionally intelligent.
Ambition
Machiavellians are highly ambitious, and they’lluse controland manipulation to achieve those ambitions.
Competition
Machiavellians are highly competitive, so they view everyone as adversaries.
Machiavellians are sensitive to the power dynamics in social contexts and can switch between cooperative and competitive tactics.
High Machs vs. Low Machs.
The Christie and Geis Mach IV test consists of 20 questions with a total score of 100.
They are more likely to demonstrate more deceitful and less empathic traits.
Those with lower scores are called “Low-Machs.”
They can be honest and caring, even characterized as pushovers.
It might be hard to believe that high and low Machs are actually along the same behavioral spectrum.
Low Machs are on the opposite side of the spectrum and are characterized as being highly submissive."
The psychology behind Machiavellianism.
“There is probably some genetic predisposition toward callous, selfish, and manipulative personality traits.
I think the same applies to Machiavellianism.”
Although it doesn’t have to begin in childhood, many ingrainedtraumasdo start there.
Clinicians use avariation of the Christie and Geis testto assessDark Triad characteristics in children(and anyone).
How to deal with Machiavellians in your life.
McIntosh recommends avoidance, if possible.
“Staying away from them is the only solution because they have a destructive mindset.”
In such cases, Aweh advises establishingclear boundarieswith a Machiavellian boss.
“Also, document the times the boss may violate them.
Your boss still has rules to abide by, and you deserve respect.”
Do not give a shot to outwit them.
Instead, practice self-care and establish clear boundaries.
Can a Machiavellian be a good person?
Instead, it is best to consider when high-Mach traits are useful and appropriate.
The bottom line.
Machiavellians can be deceitful, manipulative, competitive, and cynical.
They are excellent long-term planners and strategists.
For them, there is no other favorable outcome other than their “win.”
Their ambition can initially be perceived as admirable but can later turn dark.
