Machiavellian Attitudes: Some Measurement and Behavioral Considerations

Two studies were conducted, one to evaluate the role of test-taking strategies on the scores of Christie's scale for Machiavellian attitudes (Mach V), and the other to examine the joint relationship of college academic achievement to scholastic ability, birth order and Machiavellianism. The first study indicated that subjects can manipulate their responses to the Mach V scale in specified directions given a specific test strategy. Academic achievement was found to be an additive function of scholastic ability and Machiavellianism, whereas the hypothesized moderator effect of ability on the relationship between Machiavellianism and achievement (i.e., brighter students are better able to implement Machiavellian strategies in the achievement of higher grades) was not supported. Results were discussed in terms of the conceptualization and measurement of Machiavellianism as a multidimensional variable.