Scale Analysis

The Machiavellianism V Scale is a psychological tool used to measure the level of Machiavellianism in an individual, meaning the tendency toward manipulation, dishonesty, and lack of moral principles. It consists of a series of statements with which participants are asked to indicate their degree of agreement or disagreement using a five-point scale, ranging from “Strongly Disagree” to “Strongly Agree.” The statements concern views about human nature, the necessity of ruthlessness and dishonesty to achieve goals, and the importance of trust. The scale evaluates both the perceptual and behavioral dimensions of Machiavellianism, helping to understand how people may employ strategies of manipulation and exploitation for personal gain. The analysis of responses provides insight into an individual’s moral and social attitudes, enabling psychologists and researchers to better understand their interpersonal relationships and behavior in society.

Scale Objective

The objective of this scale is to evaluate an individual’s tendency toward Machiavellian behaviors and attitudes, which include manipulation, dishonesty, and cynicism in interpersonal relationships. This scale provides a measurement tool for psychologists and researchers to understand how people perceive and manage their social interactions. By analyzing responses, it is possible to draw conclusions regarding the level of Machiavellianism an individual displays and how it influences their behaviors in everyday life, professional relationships, and decision-making. Understanding these tendencies can help in designing intervention and support strategies aimed at improving social skills and moral development.

Scale Calibration

The MVAI-20 consists of 20 items, which are rated as follows:
More True
More False

Bibliography

Christie, R., and others. (1968). Unpublished manuscript, Department of Social Psychology, Columbia University.
Robinson, John P., & Shaver, Phillip R. (1969). Measures of Political Attitudes. Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Christie, R., & Geis, F. L. (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. New York: Academic Press.
Corral, Susana, & Calvete, Esther. (2000). Machiavellianism: Dimensionality of the Mach IV and its Relation to Self-Monitoring in a Spanish Sample. The Spanish Journal of Psychology, 3(1), 3–13.