Machiavellianism Test (FFMI)

The Five-Factor Machiavellianism Inventory (FFMI) was developed by psychologists K. L. Collison, C. E. Vize, J. D. Miller, and D. R. Lynam in 2018 to ground the study of Machiavellian traits within modern personality science. Historically, Machiavellianism was often treated as a broad, somewhat elusive mix of cynicism, flattery, and cold calculation. By mapping these characteristics directly onto the established Five-Factor Model of personality, the researchers identified thirteen specific facets that clarify exactly how strategic self-advancement operates in everyday life, separating goal-directed ambition from purely antagonistic behavior.

The inventory organizes these thirteen facets into three higher-order domains: Antagonism, Agency, and Planfulness. Antagonism captures the interpersonal friction often associated with strategic behavior, comprising callousness, cynicism, immodesty, social manipulation, and self-interest. In day-to-day settings, this family describes how people manage social relationships when personal goals are at stake. It encompasses a willingness to prioritize one's own needs over communal harmony, a guarded skepticism regarding the true motives of others, and a readiness to use persuasive leverage, tactical charm, or direct pragmatism to navigate competitive environments.

Agency represents the motivational energy and self-assurance that drive deliberate action. It brings together six facets: achievement drive, activity level, assertiveness, competence, self-confidence, and emotional toughness. In ordinary routines, strong agency manifests as focused ambition, belief in one's personal effectiveness, persistence in the face of obstacles, and an active desire to take charge in group settings. Rather than indicating hostility toward others, agency measures the psychological resilience, energy, and poise an individual brings to pursuing demanding, long-term objectives.

Planfulness reflects the cognitive structure and impulse control that guide execution. Composed of deliberation and orderliness, this dimension evaluates how carefully an individual considers potential outcomes before making decisions, as well as their preference for methodical organization and structured preparation. People with high planfulness rarely act on sudden impulse; they prefer to anticipate downstream consequences, formulate contingency plans, and systematically organize their workflow to minimize uncertainty and maximize practical control over their circumstances.

Empirical research using the FFMI demonstrates that Machiavellian traits do not operate as an all-or-nothing package. An individual may possess high agency and meticulous planfulness alongside low interpersonal antagonism, directing their focus toward disciplined professional achievement without relying on deception or exploitation. Another individual might display sharp cynicism and self-interest while lacking the organization or emotional stability needed to execute long-term strategies. Looking at the full profile across all three domains prevents misleading generalizations and highlights the distinct dimensions of your personal style.

When reviewing your chart, please note that any population comparison markers displayed are statistical estimates based on published research samples rather than standardized percentiles or formal clinical norms. Self-report scores capture conscious self-perceptions and behavioral habits that can shift depending on external pressure, professional demands, and evolving social circumstances.

This assessment is provided solely for educational and self-exploratory purposes and does not constitute a psychological evaluation, moral appraisal, or clinical diagnosis. Endorsing certain traits does not make an individual manipulative or unethical, nor does it guarantee professional success. This test is based on the published Five-Factor Machiavellianism Inventory (FFMI) and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the original researchers or their affiliated academic institutions.

References

• Collison, K., Vize, C., Miller, J., & Lynam, D. R. (2018). Development and preliminary validation of a Five Factor Model measure of Machiavellianism. Center for Open Science.