Empathos

Machiavellian Subtypes Scale

The Machiavellian Subtypes Scale combines research measures of Machiavellian traits such as strategic manipulation, cynicism about others and planning for personal advantage. It includes the Five Factor Machiavellianism Inventory (agency, antagonism, planfulness) and items on Machiavellian thinking, feelings, desires and behavior, and is meant for clinical exploration rather than labeling. 52 items; about 10 minutes.

Please rate how much each statement describes you.
Question 1 of 52
It is hard to get ahead without cutting corners
Question 2 of 52
The best way to handle people is to tell them what they want to hear
Question 3 of 52
It is wise to flatter important people
Question 4 of 52
Anyone who completely trusts anyone else is asking for trouble
Question 5 of 52
Most people are basically good and kind
Question 6 of 52
Most people will work hard only when forced to
Question 7 of 52
Better to be humble and honest than important and dishonest
Question 8 of 52
There is no excuse for lying
Question 9 of 52
Most people who get ahead lead clean moral lives
Question 10 of 52
I have great faith in human nature
Question 11 of 52
I tend to be cynical of others
Question 12 of 52
I tend to assume the best about people
Question 13 of 52
I am willing to be unethical if I believe it will help me succeed
Question 14 of 52
I am willing to sabotage the efforts of other people if they threaten my own goals
Question 15 of 52
I would cheat if there was a low chance of getting caught to get ahead
Question 16 of 52
I enjoy having control over other people
Question 17 of 52
I like to be in charge
Question 18 of 52
I am a natural leader
Question 19 of 52
I want to be a very important person
Question 20 of 52
I feel I am an important person
Question 21 of 52
I want to be rich and powerful
Question 22 of 52
Most people are fools
Question 23 of 52
Most people have a vicious streak that will come out when given a chance
Question 24 of 52
I am generally skeptical of other people's intentions
Question 25 of 52
I am good at manipulating people to get what I want
Question 26 of 52
I am skilled at using deceit to achieve my goals
Question 27 of 52
I often use flattery to get people on my side
Question 28 of 52
I am not a particularly sentimental person
Question 29 of 52
I tend to remain calm in emotional situations
Question 30 of 52
I am not easily moved by other people's emotions
Question 31 of 52
I can talk my way out of anything
Question 32 of 52
I am good at adapting my behavior to fit the situation
Question 33 of 52
I am willing to take revenge if someone wrongs me
Question 34 of 52
I am always thinking several steps ahead of others
Question 35 of 52
It is better to be feared than loved
Question 36 of 52
I am a very calculating person
Question 37 of 52
I am driven to be the best at whatever I do
Question 38 of 52
I am more interested in power than in building relationships
Question 39 of 52
I am very focused on long-term goals
Question 40 of 52
I am not particularly sympathetic to other people's problems
Question 41 of 52
I am better than most people and I know it
Question 42 of 52
I use flattery to get ahead
Question 43 of 52
Others have described me as cold-hearted
Question 44 of 52
Most people try to be honest and fair in their dealings with others
Question 45 of 52
I have a strong drive for power and influence
Question 46 of 52
I work hard to pursue my goals relentlessly
Question 47 of 52
I am very persuasive when I want to be
Question 48 of 52
I am efficient and productive at work
Question 49 of 52
I am very sure of myself and my abilities
Question 50 of 52
I am not easily flustered or unsettled
Question 51 of 52
I carefully consider the consequences of my actions before making decisions
Question 52 of 52
I like everything to be in its proper place

Your responses are confidential.

Thank you

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© 2026 Nora Markarian, LMHC, NCC — Empathos Mental Health Counseling
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