Machiavellianism, emotional intelligence and social competence: Are Machiavellians interpersonally skilled?

Abstract

Machiavellians are usually associated with unusually high interpersonal skills which seem to be vital for effective manipulation of other people. However, the current research has not confirmed such an opinion. The aim of this study was to examine relations between Machiavellianism (Mach) and self-report emotional intelligence (EI as a trait), self-report social competences (SC) and recognizing emotions from facial expressions. Mach was negatively correlated with EI and SC overall result and with subscales of social competences in intimate situations (SC-I) and in situations requiring social exposure (SC-ES). There was no correlation between Mach and recognizing emotions and between Mach and social competences in situations requiring assertiveness (SC-A). Exploratory path analyses showed a direct negative association

Machiavellianism, Expressive Suppression and Internalizing Behaviors of Adolescents in Ucsi International School

“…Therefore, it is suspected that the provided findings respecting emotional intelligence might indicate to emotional intelligence. Inconsistent with the results of the current study, previous findings demonstrated a negative relationship between Machiavellianism and emotional intelligence (Pilch, 2008;Sjöberg et al, 2001;Austin et al, 2007). Furthermore, the demonstrated relationships between Expressive Suppression and internalizing behaviours were similar to previous research findings (Larsen et al,2013;Keenan & Hipwell, 2005;Eisenberg, Spinrad & Eggum 2000;Cole, Michael & Teti, 1994).…”

Dispositional malevolence and impression formation: Dark Tetrad associations with accuracy and positivity in first impressions

“…Furthermore, as emotions and facial expressions are a window into a person's internal state and provide clues regarding one's personality (Andersen, 1984), the ability to decode this nonverbal information may assist in impression formation. For example, emotional intelligence and perspective taking are known to promote perceptive accuracy (Colman, Letzring, & Biesanz, 2017), and these individual differences are negatively related to Machiavellianism (Pilch, 2008). Similarly, Machiavellianism negatively correlates with the ability to decode facial expressions from pictures (Simon, Francis, & Lombardo, 1990), and subclinical psychopathy has been linked with less efficiency in processing words with a negative valence (Long & Titone, 2007), suggesting those high on psychopathy have a more difficult time processing negative emotions.…”

The manipulative skill: Cognitive devices and their neural correlates underlying Machiavellian’s decision making

“…According to this view, all the manipulative strategies derive from superior impulse regulation rather than any special cognitive ability like mindreading (Jones & Paulhus, 2009). Since low Mach persons are more focused on personal relations and its ethical aspects, and show less vigilance and determinism in attaining their own aspirations, Machiavellians will have an advantage in spite of their poorer cognitive capacities (Pilch, 2008).…”

“…High Machs also reported poorer family communication, and less satisfaction with family life. It is possible, that under disadvantageous circumstances, individuals cannot develop intimate relationships and they have fewer opportunities to train these social competences (Pilch, 2008). A more recent study, using a retrospective parental care questionnaire, revealed that low maternal care led to the development of Machiavellianism via the fearful attachment as a possible mediating factor (Jonason, Lyons, & Bethell, 2014).…”