Results and Comments
Despite the conceptually similar labels, the Egoism Scale (ES) does not converge with the NPI or Paunonen’s
(2002) Egotism scale. This divergence should not be surprising given that the ES item content is drawn
almost entirely from Machiavellianism scales. On the other hand, its surprisingly small correlation with
Machiavellianism in the de Vries and van Kampen (2010) study can be traced to their decision to operationalize
the latter with IPIP Mach scale. The latter measure was drawn from the JPI Social Astuteness scale and empha-
sizes self-declared social skills ( Jackson, 1964 ).
EGOISM SCALE
Please respond to each item with a number from 1 to
5 indicating your degree of agreement with the
statement.
Use the following anchors as a guide: Strongly agree
(1) to Strongly disagree (5).
1.The best way to handle people is to tell them what
they want to hear.
2.A person should obey only those laws that seem
reasonable.
3.Nowadays a person has to live pretty much for
today and let tomorrow take care of itself.
4.It is hard to get ahead without cutting corners here
and there.
5.It is alright to bend the law if you do not actually
violate it.
6.It’s hardly fair to bring children into the world with
the way things look for the future.
7.Never tell anyone the real reason you did something
unless it is useful to do so.
8.A person should obey the law no matter how much
it interferes with their ambition. (R)
9.These days a person doesn’t really know whom he
can count on.
10.All in all, it is better to be humble and honest than
important and dishonest. (R)11.A person is justified in giving false testimony to
protect a friend on trial.
12.Most people don’t care what happens to the next
fellow.
13.Generally speaking people won’t work hard unless
they’re forced to do so.
14.Laws are made for the benefit of small selfish
groups.
15.Next to health, money is the most important thing in
life.
16.The biggest difference between criminals and other
people is that criminals are stupid enough to get
caught.
17.It is alright for a person to break the law if he
doesn’t get caught.
18.You sometimes can’t help wondering whether
anything is worthwhile.
19.General rules about lying are useless; whether a lie
is moral or immoral depends on the situation.
20.To make money there are no right and wrong ways
anymore /C0only easy and hard ways.
Notes : Reverse scored (R)
Reproduced with permission.
Results and Comments (Comparing Brief Narcissism Measures)
Given that concepts such as narcissism, egoism, and egotism are considered virtually synonymous in English,
it is surprising how different the nine measures in this section are. The multi-factor history of the NPI set the
stage for differing interpretations. The PES authors chose to isolate one of those factors, namely, entitlement.
Retaining its agentic nature, the NARQ simply subdivides narcissism into a conceptually useful pair of measures.
The CNI adds a twist by measuring grandiosity with communal exaggeration. Although derived in a different
fashion, the Egotism Scale items clearly resemble the narcissistic options of the NPI. It seems clear that the
Egoism Scale is the most divergent: Because the items were taken from Machiavellianism scales, psychometrically
speaking, it actually belongs in that category of measures.
D. Miscellaneous Measures of Malevolence
A separate set of measures have theoretical roots completely divorced from the Dark Triad of personality.
Despite their unique conceptual origins, it seems clear that these measures also tap socially toxic personalities
and could be added to future taxonomies: They are the sadistic personality, sensational interests, and amoralism.582 20. MEASURES OF DARK PERSONALITIES
V. VICES AND VIRTUES