Machiavellianism and sexual behavior: Motivations, deception and infidelity



Brewer, Gayle ORCID: 0000-0003-0690-4548 and Abell, Loren
(2015) Machiavellianism and sexual behavior: Motivations, deception and infidelity. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES, 74. pp. 186-191.

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Abstract

The current study investigated the influence of Machiavellianism, a personality trait characterized by a manipulative interpersonal style and willingness to exploit others (Christie & Geis, 1970), on three areas of sexual behavior. Men (N= 90) and women (N= 192) aged 18-81. years (M= 25.82, SD= 9.85) completed the Mach IV (Christie & Geis, 1970), YSEX Questionnaire (Meston & Buss, 2007), Sexual Deception Scale (Marelich, Lundquist, Painter, & Mechanic, 2008) and Intentions Towards Infidelity Scale (Jones, Olderbak, & Figueredo, 2011). Those with high levels of Machiavellianism were more likely to engage in sexual behavior for physical reasons, goal attainment and insecurity. In particular, Machiavellian men and women endorsed stress reduction, experience seeking, resources, social status, revenge, utilitarian reasons, boosting self-esteem, duty/pressure, and mate guarding as motivations for sexual behavior. Machiavellianism was also a significant predictor of each form of sexual deception investigated (blatant lying, self-serving and avoiding confrontation) and intentions to engage in infidelity. Sex did not moderate the influence of Machiavellianism on sexual behavior.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Machiavellianism, Sexual behavior, Motivation, Deception, Infidelity, Relationships
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 22 Aug 2018 07:51
Last Modified: 19 Jan 2023 01:26
DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2014.10.028
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3025375