MACHIAVELLIANISM AS A COMPONENT IN PSYCHOTICISM AND EXTROVERSION

The EPQ was administered to 592 male and 562 female subjects, mainly non-students, together with a 43-item Machiavellianism scale slightly altered from the original, and with several newly written items added. Detailed factorial analyses disclosed that the M scale measured a single, clearly defined factor which correlated positively with P and E, and negatively with L; no correlations were observed with N. Correlations with P were higher for females than for males, while correlations with E were higher for males than for females. Less socially acceptable M items correlated more highly with P, more socially acceptable M items correlated more highly with E. Machiavellianism, like impulsivity, sensation seeking and venturesomeness, clearly lies in the P + E + quadrant of the 3-dimensional personality sphere. © 1991.