The role of Machiavellian views and tactics in psychopathology

Summary

This paper investigated how Machiavellianism relates to a broad range of psychopathology, arguing that the trait is best understood as two distinct dimensions rather than a single construct. Using item analysis and confirmatory factor analysis on the classic Mach-IV scale, the authors separated cynical, distrustful Machiavellian views from manipulative interpersonal tactics. Structural equation modelling then tested the unique associations of each dimension with six psychopathology domains: depression, fear, anxiety, impulsivity, externalising problems, and thought dysfunction. Machiavellian views uniquely predicted every domain of psychopathology, whereas tactics were linked only to externalising problems. The results support a two-dimensional model of Machiavellianism and show that its maladaptive correlates are driven mainly by the views dimension.