Machiavellianism Test

Machiavellianism Test is available in the following languages:

Basic information
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
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

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
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)	Percent = (12 ÷ 16) × 100 = 75% → High

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.

Basic information

DMPSQ-20 — Key Facts of Machiavellianism

DMPSQ-20 — Scoring & Interpretation

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