Machiavellian Personality Scale (MPS)

The Machiavellian Personality Scale (MPS) is a psychological self-report assessment developed by Jason J. Dahling, Brian G. Whitaker, and Paul E. Levy (2009) to measure Machiavellian personality traits. The scale evaluates manipulative tendencies, unethical decision-making, interpersonal control, status-seeking behavior, and distrust of others.

The MPS was designed to provide a multidimensional assessment of Machiavellianism and includes four primary domains: Amoral Manipulation, Desire for Control, Desire for Status, and Distrust of Others. Higher scores may indicate stronger tendencies toward manipulation, interpersonal cynicism, dominance, strategic exploitation, and self-serving behavior.

Read each statement carefully and select the response that best describes your usual attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors. Answer honestly and choose the option that most accurately reflects your experiences.

This assessment is intended for educational, research, and self-reflection purposes only. It is not intended to provide a formal psychological or psychiatric diagnosis. Results should be interpreted within the broader context of personality functioning and interpersonal behavior.

Each item is rated using a standard agreement scale. Higher scores indicate greater Machiavellian personality characteristics including manipulativeness, desire for interpersonal control, status orientation, and distrust of others.

Version 1.0:
Initial MPS integration into Deenz Psychometric Scale Engine Pro.
Added multidimensional scoring support.
Added interpretation support for Machiavellian personality traits.
Added dimensional psychometric profiling support.

I am willing to be unethical if I believe it will help me succeed.

I am willing to sabotage the efforts of other people if they threaten my own goals.

I would cheat if there was a low chance of getting caught.

I believe that lying is necessary to maintain a competitive advantage over others.

The only good reason to talk to others is to get information that I can use to my benefit.

I like to give the orders in interpersonal situations.

I enjoy being able to control the situation.

I enjoy having control over other people.

Status is a good sign of success in life.

Accumulating wealth is an important goal for me.

I want to be rich and powerful someday.

People are only motivated by personal gain.

I dislike committing to groups because I don't trust others.

Team members backstab each other all the time to get ahead.

If I show any weakness at work, other people will take advantage of it.

Other people are always planning ways to take advantage of the situation at my expense.