Machiavellianism: A Preliminary Review

Abstract

In this review articles bearing upon Machiavellianism are considered in the light of the theory postulated by Christie and Geis (1970). Generally this theory is supported by the results of the articles reviewed here, in that the reported behaviors and attitudes reflect the cool detachment of the Machiavellian, which was duly mentioned by Christie and Geis (1970). Still there is some equivocality reported here with regard to most experimental research, because the situational factors which stipulate the outcomes of high and low Machiavellians are not very adequately implemented. Furthermore, some relationships between Machiavellianism and measures of personality, i.e., internal versus external locus of control and the achievement motive, need to be clarified. A more technical problem, namely, the ipsativity of the forced-choice format in the Mach V, needs to be resolved too.