Multidimensional Machiavellianism conceptualization

Abstract

The different variants of manipulation of social behavior have always awakened the interest of psychiatrists, psychologists and sociologists. For the contemporary psychology, the term Machiavellianism refers to a facet of the interpersonal behavior defined by a person's tendency to manipulate the attitude of others to achieve their own interests. These are associated with a cynical view of the human nature in which the expectations and needs of people in the social environment are ignored in a selfish and egocentric way. From a particular personal perspective, Machiavellianism is considered to belong to a “black triad” of the personality together with narcissism and psychopathy, having evil effects on social life. Despite the pejorative meanings that can be attributed to the term Machiavellian, they can represent a way of deeper knowledge of human psychology. It integrates a variant of maladaptive functioning of personality in social life and has a genetic, neurobiological and clinical expression. We aim to comment on the legitimacy of considering Machiavellianism as one of the personality disorders using the diagnostic criteria related to them.