To be fooled or not to be fooled: Approach and avoidance facets of Machiavellianism.

Abstract

The antagonistic personality trait Machiavellianism (Mach) should be characterized by duplicity, proclivity to manipulation, cynical disregard of others, long-term planning, and low aggression. Opposed to theoretical descriptions, recent studies revealed links between Mach and neuroticism, impulsivity, and aggression. The advantages of a multidimensional assessment of Mach are well known but were seldom implemented. Hence, differential effects within Mach have often been neglected. Based on previous research on basic motivational orientations, we derived two facets-Machiavellian approach and Machiavellian avoidance.These facets account for exploitative, strategic striving for resources and for misanthropic, distrustful loss-prevention, respectively. In two studies (total N = 1,000, 21% men), we found support for the two-factor structure, for measurement invariance across sexes, and the nomological network of the 8-item Machiavellian Approach and Avoidance Questionnaire (MaaQ). As expected, Machiavellian approach was primarily associated with hope for power, whereas Machiavellian avoidance was linked to affective criteria and aggression. Both approach and avoidance shared links with disagreeableness, dishonesty, and cynicism. Furthermore, they correlated with other Mach scales. The findings explain counterintuitive links with other constructs found in earlier studies and thereby further the understanding of Mach.

The Machiavellian Bully Revisited: A Closer Look at Differences and Processes of Machiavellian Bullying and Cyberbullying Perpetration

“…Arguably, in the sense of psychological distance, those engaging in CB find it "easier" to dehumanize others since they have only limited sensory contact and hence only limited cues of the agony felt by the victims (Bastian et al, 2012;Graf et al, 2022). Given that Mach refers to cynical views of humanity and antagonism (Blötner & Bergold, 2022;Christie & Geis, 1970), we proposed that low compassion for others enables individuals high in Mach to view others as manipulable and exploitable means to an end. This view should promote dehumanizing tendencies (Sijtsema et al, 2019).…”

“…Although positive links between Mach and overt aggression oppose theoretical considerations regarding Mach, respective findings have emerged quite consistently (e.g., Vize et al, 2018). To explain such counterintuitive findings, Blötner and Bergold (2022) suggested that aggression can occur in Mach and attributed (overt) violence to Machiavellian avoidance. Their conceptualization suggests that, given a threat to one's resources or goals, individuals high in Machiavellian avoidance employ any means necessary to restore desired states or to prevent loss.…”

“…Like recent research mostly relied on global (cyber)bullying perpetration scores, earlier studies on Mach predominantly examined global Mach scores, although the construct was found to be manyfaceted. For example, Blötner and Bergold (2022) proposed a goal-oriented, manipulative, exploitative facet (Machiavellian approach) and a loss-avoiding, neurotic, distrustful facet of Mach (Machiavellian avoidance). This two-dimensional structure is structurally (i.e., in terms of the latent structure) and empirically (i.e., in terms of construct validity) superior to a singlefactor understanding of Mach (Blötner & Bergold, 2022).…”

“…Individuals high in this mindset might therefore use displaced aggression to restore their powerless self-image. According to Blötner and Bergold's (2022) conceptualization, an external locus of control should be rather typical of Machiavellian avoidance. Hence, we expected Machiavellian avoidance to predict higher levels of verbal CB (H3), verbal F2FB (H4), and physical F2FB (H5).…”

“…Questionnaire (Blötner & Bergold, 2022). Responses were given on a five-point scale, 1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neither agree nor disagree, 4 = agree, 5 = strongly agree.…”