Reliability
Internal Consistency
Dahling et al. (2009) reported a Cronbach alpha coefficient of .82. Zagenczyk, Restubog, Kiewitz, Kiazad, and
Tang (2014) reported alpha coefficients of .79 and .88.
Test/C0Retest
No test /C0retest reliability coefficients have been reported to-date.
Validity
Convergent/Concurrent
Dahling et al. (2009) found substantial positive correlations of MPS with a narcissism scale (.55) and a self-
report measure of counterproductive work behavior (.38).
Divergent/Discriminant
Dahling et al. (2009) found non-significant correlations between the MPS and self-monitoring, need for
achievement, and cognitive ability as measured by the Wonderlic Personnel Test ( Wonderlic, 1977 ).
Construct/Factor Analytic
The authors reported a structural model that supported their 4-facet hypothesis. Follow-up studies have added
to the construct validity (e.g., Kiazad et al., 2010 ). However, none of these studies demonstrated incremental
validity of the MPS over the original Mach IV ( Dahling et al., 2009 ).
Criterion/Predictive
The authors predicted, but did not find, an association with work performance, as rated by employers
(Dahling et al., 2009 ).
Location
Dahling, J.J., Whitaker, B.G., & Levy, P.E. (2009). The development and validation of a new Machiavellianism
scale. Journal of Management, 35 , 219/C0257.
Results and Comments
The authors re-oriented the construct somewhat by specifying four specific subscales. Two of them overlap
with Mach IV subscales (Amoral Manipulation and Distrust of Others) and two others are novel (Desire for
Control and Desire for Status). The latter facet appears to be equivalent to narcissism. Rather surprising is that
this measure has never been compared head-to-head with the Mach IV. At 16 items, it is not much shorter than
the original 20-item Mach IV.
MPS SAMPLE ITEMS
Please indicate the extent of your agreement with
each statement below. Your responses can range from
(1)strongly disagree to (7) strongly agree .
1.I am willing to be unethical if I believe it will help me
succeed.
2.I enjoy having control over other people.
3.Status is a good sign of success in life.4.Accumulating wealth is an important goal for me.
5.I want to be rich and powerful someday.
Notes : The full set of 16 items can be summed or divided
into four facets: Amorality, Desire for Control ,Desire for
Status, and Distrust of Others (Dahling et al., 2009 ).
Reproduced with permission.
Results and Comments (Comparing Brief Mach Measures)
Although three different measures were used in one research article ( Zagenczyk et al., 2014 ), there are no stud-
ies directly pitting multiple Mach measures head-to-head in their ability to predict important criteria. In future
work, inclusion of the original Mach IV would help confirm the decrease (or increase) in validity due to the use573 DARK TRIAD MEASURES
V. VICES AND VIRTUES