How long does this quiz take?

This quiz takes about three minutes to complete.

Are my responses private?

Yes, all answers are anonymized and confidential.

Can I take this test more than once?

Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your results may have changed.

Will this quiz diagnose a personality disorder?

No. This test is designed for self-reflection and insight, not clinical diagnosis.

Can my results help me improve my relationships?

Yes. Understanding your interpersonal style can help you communicate more intentionally and ethically.

Discover how strategic, calculating, or pragmatic your interpersonal style may be.

Machiavellianism Scale

A psychology-inspired look at strategic social influence.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | Last Updated: December 20, 2025

Reviewed by Jourdan Travers, LCSW

Some people navigate social situations with warmth and openness, while others rely on strategy, restraint, and careful influence. This test explores the degree to which you approach relationships pragmatically, prioritizing outcomes over emotional transparency.

Having a strategic mindset does not automatically imply harmful intent. In fact, many individuals who score higher on this dimension are simply highly goal-oriented and attentive to power dynamics. However, when taken to extremes, these tendencies may overlap with patterns seen in narcissistic traits or difficulties with mutual trust.

This scale offers insight into your interpersonal style and how you manage influence, persuasion, and long-term advantage. If you are also curious about emotional detachment or sensitivity to interpersonal control, you may find it useful to explore the Relationship Control Scale.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this quiz take?: This quiz takes about three minutes to complete.
Are my responses private?: Yes, all Machiavellianism Scale answers are anonymized and confidential.
Can I take this test more than once?: Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your Machiavellianism Scale results may have changed.
Will this quiz diagnose a personality disorder?: No. This test is designed for self-reflection and insight, not clinical diagnosis.
Can my results help me improve my relationships?: Yes. Understanding your interpersonal style can help you communicate more intentionally and ethically.

Strategic Influence & Manipulation Scale: Take The Test

Step 1: Rate Your Strategic Influence Tendencies

For each statement, indicate how much you agree on a scale of 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree). For best results, answer honestly and trust your first instinct.

1. I think long-term advantage matters more than short-term honesty.

2. It’s important to adapt how you present yourself depending on the situation.

3. I often think several steps ahead in social situations.

4. I am careful about how much personal information I reveal to others.

5. Building alliances is essential for getting ahead in life.

6. I avoid burning bridges because people may be useful later.

7. Staying unnoticed can be an effective way to achieve goals.

8. Compliments can be a powerful way to influence others.

Step 2: Enter Your Demographics

Provide your age, gender, region, and first name for a detailed report comparing your results to others.

What is your age?

What is your gender?

What region of the world do you live in?

What is your first name?

Step 3: Submit Your Machiavellianism Scale Answers

After completing all questions, click below to send your responses to Mark Travers, Ph.D. All answers are anonymized and confidential.

References

Paulhus, D. L., Buckels, E. E., Trapnell, P. D., & Jones, D. N. (2021). Screening for dark personalities: The Short Dark Tetrad (SD4). European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 37(3), 208–222.

Disclaimer

This scale is designed for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment.