Components of Machiavellian beliefs in children: Relationships with personality

Jon Sutton, Edmund Keogh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

48 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Components of Machiavellian beliefs were assessed in a sample of 198 children aged 9-12 years, and related to the psychoticism (P), extraversion (E), neuroticism (N), and lie (L) scales of the Junior Eysenck Personality Questionaire (JEPQ-S) personality measure (Francis & Pearson, 1988). Overall Machiavellianism was positively correlated with P and N scores, and negatively correlated with L scores. Factor analysis of the Kiddie-Mach scale (Christie & Geis, 1970) revealed three main factors: lack of faith in human nature, dishonesty, and distrust. All factors were positively correlated with P (the first two significantly more so in boys) and negatively correlated with L scores. Lack of faith in human nature was also positively correlated with age. The results are discussed in terms of the possible developmental trajectory of Machiavellian beliefs in connection with their socioemotional and behavioural correlates.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)137-148
Number of pages12
JournalPersonality and Individual Differences
Volume30
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 Jan 2001

Keywords

  • Children
  • Machiavellianism
  • Personality

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Psychology

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