Psychopathy and machiavellianism: a distinction without a difference?

Miller, Joshua D.; Hyatt, Courtland S.; Maples‐Keller, Jessica L.; Carter, Nathan T.; Lynam, Donald R.

doi:10.1111/jopy.12251

Cited by 269Personality Traits and PsychologyPsychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual OffendingPersonality Disorders and Psychopathology

Psychopathy and machiavellianism: a distinction without a difference?

Miller, Joshua D., Hyatt, Courtland S., Maples‐Keller, Jessica L., Carter, Nathan T., Lynam, Donald R.·2017·Journal of Personality

DOI 10.1111/jopy.12251

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Abstract

A robust literature has emerged on the Dark Triad (DT) of personality-Machiavellianism (MACH), psychopathy, and narcissism. Questions remain as to whether MACH and psychopathy are distinguishable and whether MACH's empirical and theoretical networks are consistent. In Study 1 (N = 393; MTurk research participants), factor analyses were used to compare two-factor (MACH and psychopathy combined + narcissism) and three-factor models, with both fitting the data equally well. In Studies 1 and 2 (N = 341; undergraduate research participants), DT scores were examined in relation to a variety of external criteria, including self- and informant ratings of personality, adverse developmental experiences, and psychopathological symptoms/behaviors. In both studies, MACH and psychopathy manifested nearly identical empirical profiles and both were significantly related to disinhibitory traits thought to be antithetical to MACH. In Study 3 (N = 36; expert raters), expert ratings of the Five-Factor Model traits prototypical of MACH were collected and compared with empirically derived profiles. Measures of MACH yielded profiles that were inconsistent with the prototypical expert-rated profile due to their positive relations with a broad spectrum of impulsivity-related traits. Ultimately, measures of psychopathy and MACH appear to be measuring the same construct, and MACH assessments fail to capture the construct as articulated in theoretical descriptions.

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Psychopathy and Machiavellianism share more overlap than they do with narcissism, and greater similarity in their associations with other CU personality correlates.
“Psychopathy and Machiavellianism share more overlap than they do with narcissism, and greater similarity in their associations with other CU personality correlates [i.e., low Agreeableness and Conscientiousness; (12)].”
From Empathy at the heart of darkness: empathy deficits that bind the dark triad and those that mediate indirect relational aggression. (2019) · cites this paper as [12]
Confirmatory factor analyses suggest that a two-factor model combining psychopathy and Machiavellianism, and keeping narcissism separate, has equivalent fit to the standard three factor model.
“Nevertheless, confirmatory factor analyses suggest that a two-factor model combining psychopathy and Machiavellianism, and keeping narcissism separate, has equivalent fit to the standard three factor model; as such, deciding between the optimal model may need to be based on theoretical grounds (12).”
From Empathy at the heart of darkness: empathy deficits that bind the dark triad and those that mediate indirect relational aggression. (2019) · cites this paper as [12]
An overlap between constructs reflects limited theoretical distinction and suggests a need to refine measures of Machiavellianism free from psychopathic traits.
“an overlap between constructs also reflects limited theoretical distinction, and suggests a need to refine measures of Machiavellianism, free from psychopathic traits (12)”
From Empathy at the heart of darkness: empathy deficits that bind the dark triad and those that mediate indirect relational aggression. (2019) · cites this paper as [12]

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Authors: Miller, J. D., Hyatt, C. S., Maples‐Keller, J. L., Carter, N. T., & Lynam, D. R.
Affiliations: University of Georgia (US)
Purdue University West Lafayette (US)
Corresponding author: Miller, Joshua D.
ORCID: Miller, Joshua D.
Hyatt, Courtland S.
Maples‐Keller, Jessica L.
Carter, Nathan T.
Lynam, Donald R.
Venue: Journal of Personality
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2016-04-06
Volume: 85
Issue: 4
Pages: 439-453
ISSN: 0022-3506 (ISSN-L)
1467-6494
DOI: 10.1111/jopy.12251
OpenAlex: W2295804258
Cited by: 269
References: 59
Citations by year: 2026: 16 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 30 · 2023: 44 · 2022: 37 · 2021: 29 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 25 · 2018: 23 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 4
FWCI: 27.00
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations: Journal of Personality (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Disorders and Psychopathology
Keywords: Dark Triad, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, narcissism, construct validity, factor structure, impulsivity, disinhibition, Big Five personality traits, personality assessment, psychiatric symptoms
MeSH terms: Adult, Antisocial Personality Disorder, Female, Humans, Machiavellianism, Male, Middle Aged, Narcissism, Personality Disorders, Young Adult

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Psychopathy and machiavellianism: a distinction without a difference?

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