Machiavellians likely use intimidation impression management tactics when they perceive threat; fairness serves as a cue for them to employ aggressive tactics to regain control, such as intimidation

When do Machiavellians feel threatened? An investigation into fair situations. Rebecca L. Badawy, Robyn L. Brouer, Elizabeth A. Fabrizio. Journal of Research in Personality, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2018.02.004

Highlights
•    Machs perceive threat in fair environments.
•    Machs likely use intimidation impression management tactics when they perceive threat.
•    Fairness serves as a cue for Machs to employ aggressive tactics to regain control, such as intimidation.
•    Machs perceive a lower level of threat in unfair situations, suggesting that unfair situations may appeal to Machs because they are more easily able to rely on strategic manipulation.

Abstract: The Machiavellian (Mach) personality trait describes individuals who rely on manipulative strategies to achieve their goals, which are primarily extrinsic (money, success, power), often at the cost of interpersonal relationships. However, little is known about the environmental conditions that cue Machs to act in deviant ways. We explore the impact of fair environments on Machs’ perceptions of threat. Tested in an experimental study (N = 311), our results provide preliminary evidence that, contrary to normative responses to fairness, Machs have negative cognitive (experience threat) and behavioral intention (intimidation tactics) reactions to fair situations, and thus might actually function more normatively in unfair environments.