Machiavellianism Test
Machiavellianism Test is available in the following languages:
Basic information |
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|---|---|
| Statements: | 20 |
| Duration: | 3–5 minutes |
| Type: | Self-Report Questionnaire |
| Dimensions | Manipulativeness, Distrust, Self-Interest, Deception, Strategic Thinking |
| Seminal work: | Deenz Machiavellian Personality Style Questionnaire (DMPSQ-20) |
| Publishing year: | 2024 |
| Likert Scale | 0 = Disagree | 1 = Slightly Disagree | 2 = Neutral | 3 = Slightly Agree | 4 = Agree |
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Instructions:
Deenz Machiavellian Personality Style Questionnaire is a 20-item instrument designed to help you reflect on personality traits associated with the Machiavellian personality style, focusing on five key facets of Machiavellianism. Machiavellianism is considered one of the “Dark Triad” traits, alongside narcissism and psychopathy. This Machiavellianism test is not a medical or clinical assessment; rather, it is a self-reflection tool to identify tendencies toward the five key dimensions of Machiavellian personality style. For each statement, decide how much you agree or disagree with it |
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Niccolò Machiavelli was an Italian diplomat and philosopher. In his book The Prince, he advised rulers on how to gain and maintain political power. He emphasized pragmatism over morality, the use of deception as a tool, and the importance of adaptability. Modern psychology adopted the term Machiavellianism to describe a personality style characterized by manipulation, distrust, and self-interest. In the 1970s, Richard Christie and Florence Geis developed the MACH-IV, a self-assessment scale designed to measure Machiavellian traits. Research emphasizes studying Machiavellianism on a spectrum, as it is associated with multiple facets rather than just a few traits.
Deenz Machiavellian Personality Style Questionnaire (DMPSQ-20) was introduced to focus on measuring 5 key facets of Machiavellianism such as Manipulativeness, Distrust, Self-Interest, Deception, and Strategic Thinking. Research has shown that Machiavellianism is associated with interpersonal manipulation, strategic thinking, distrust of others, and self-serving attitudes. Today, Machiavellianism is also one of the main dimensions of the “Dark Triad” along with narcissism and psychopathy, and it is studied widely in personality psychology, leadership, and organizational behavior.
DMPSQ-20 — Key Facts of Machiavellianism
| Manipulativeness |
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| Manipulativeness is the main facet of Machiavellian Personality Style, described as the tendency to control or influence others for personal gain. A person with manipulative tendencies often rely on charm and tactics to achieve goals. |
| Distrust |
| Distrust means a suspicious outlook towards the people around. People with high distrust believe others may be self-serving and unreliable. This can make an individual cautious in relationships and sharing personal information, and defensive. |
| Self-Interest |
| Self-Interest in Machiavellian Personality Style means a focus on personal needs and ambitions. People with high self-interest often think about their own goals first, and they value achievement more than shared outcomes. |
| Deception |
| Deception is the willingness or tendency to mislead others for personal gain. People with deception often tell lies to achieve one’s objectives without caring about others’ feelings. They see dishonesty as a tool to deceive others and can bend truth or mislead if it benefits them or protects their position. |
| Strategic Thinking |
| Strategic Thinking is the ability to plan ahead and make quick decisions. An individual who scores high in this facet may be skilled at analyzing situations and predicting others’ responses. |
DMPSQ-20 — Scoring & Interpretation
| Response Options & Points | |
|---|---|
| Disagree | 0 points |
| 1 | 1 point |
| 2 | 2 points |
| 3 | 3 points |
| Agree | 4 points |
| Facet | What it reflects (info only) | Items per facet | Raw range | Percent formula |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manipulation | Using charm/influence to shape others’ choices; persuasion skills; outcome-focused. | 4 | 0–16 | (facet sum ÷ 16) × 100 |
| Distrust | Skepticism about others’ motives; caution in relying on people. | 4 | 0–16 | (facet sum ÷ 16) × 100 |
| Self-Interest | Focus on personal goals/benefits; “what’s in it for me?” stance. | 4 | 0–16 | (facet sum ÷ 16) × 100 |
| Deception | Comfort with hiding/bending truth; secrecy to gain advantage. | 4 | 0–16 | (facet sum ÷ 16) × 100 |
| Strategic Thinking | Planning ahead; anticipating others; calculated approaches. | 4 | 0–16 | (facet sum ÷ 16) × 100 |
| Overall Machiavellianism Score | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw total | Sum of all 20 items | Range | 0–80 |
| Percent total | (raw total ÷ 80) × 100 | ||
| Band | Percentage (facet or total) | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 0%–33% | These tendencies are generally infrequent; you likely prefer openness, cooperation, and transparency. |
| Moderate | 34%–66% | Context-dependent use of these tendencies; you balance personal aims with fairness and trust. |
| High | 67%–100% | These tendencies are common; you may prioritize advantage, control, or strategy over openness/trust. |
| Worked Example (Facet) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Facet raw sum | 12 (out of 16) | Percent = (12 ÷ 16) × 100 = 75% → High |
| Items counted | 4 items (each 0–4) | |
| Report Field | How to display | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Total Machiavellianism | Percent with band | 62% (Moderate) |
| Facet breakdown | Percent with short label | Manipulation 78% (High); Distrust 40% (Moderate); Self-Interest 55% (Moderate); Deception 22% (Low); Strategic Thinking 68% (High) |
| Top facets | List top 2 by percent | 1) Manipulation 78%, 2) Strategic Thinking 68% |
| Lowest facet | List 1 lowest by percent | Deception 22% |
| Administration & Notes | |
|---|---|
| Items | 20 (5 facets × 4 items) |
| Response scale | 5 options scored 0–4 points (see table above) |
| Time | ~3–5 minutes |
| Scoring | Sum by facet (0–16) and total (0–80); convert to % |
| Reverse-scored items | None (if you add any, reverse as 4–score) |
| Intended use | Informational/self-reflection; not a clinical diagnosis |
| Interpretation caution | Results can be context-dependent; consider multiple data points and honesty of responding. |
