Machiavellianism and romantic relationship dissolution

Despite the frequency with which relationships are dissolved and the consequences of this dissolution, few studies have considered the manner in which individual differences (rather than characteristics of the relationship itself) influence the selection of a break up strategy or break up related distress. The current studies were conducted to address this issue. In Study 1, women (N = 141) completed Machiavellianism (Christie & Geis, 1970) and break up strategy (Collins & Gillath, 2012) questionnaires. Women with high levels of Machiavellianism were more likely than those with low levels of Machiavellianism to employ Avoidance/Withdrawal, Cost Escalation, Manipulation, and Distant/Mediated Communication when terminating a relationship. In Study 2, women (N = 125) completed Machiavellianism (Christie & Geis, 1970) and break up distress (Field, Diego, Pelaez, Deeds, & Delgado, 2010) measures. Machiavellianism did not predict post relationship dissolution distress. Findings are discussed in relation to the Machiavellian interpersonal style and relationship preferences

Machiavellianism and female friendships: Investigating behaviour through self-report and observational methods

There is a paucity of research investigating Machiavellianism and its influence on female behaviour, and specifically, female behaviour with same-sex friends. Furthermore, there is a lack of research investigating the subtle (manipulative) behaviour that may be associated with Machiavellianism. The current set of studies investigated Machiavellianism and behaviour in women’s dyadic friendships and girl’s peer relations. Study 1a and 1b used online self-report questionnaires and demonstrated women higher on Machiavellianism reported using emotional manipulation towards one specific close friend and reported to do that frequently. These women also perceived that their friend employed emotional manipulation towards them. The second study used observation methodology to record behaviour that women with higher Machiavellianism scores may engage in with a same-sex friend. This second study revealed that women with higher Machiavellianism scores asked their friend more elaboration questions whilst their partner looked at the environment more. This may suggest women higher in Machiavellianism seek information whilst their friend appears to show withdrawal from the interaction. The relationships between Machiavellianism and friendship functions were also investigated in those two studies. Women higher on Machiavellianism in study 1a and 1b reported their friendships to be lower in companionship, help, intimacy, and emotional security. Study 2 demonstrated differences with Machiavellianism and friendship functions with regards to the length of the friendship. Women with higher Machiavellianism scores who had been in the friendship for 12 months or less reported the friend to provide less companionship and emotional security. These two functions of friendship may be particularly salient in new friendships, especially recently established friendships in the new university environment. Study 3 also used observation methodology and investigated two components of Machiavellianism (Lack of Faith and Distrust) and girls’ behaviour with same-sex peers on their school playground. This study showed that girls with higher Distrust scores engaged in less social exclusion behaviour and girls with higher Lack of Faith scores or higher Distrust scores spent less time rejecting other children’s bids to join their social group. Finally, an additional study is presented in this thesis which investigated the Big-Five (measured by the ten-item Big-Five TIPI) and Machiavellianism in women. Regression analyses were conducted with the Big-Five traits to explore how much variance (influence) the Big-Five accounted for in Machiavellianism. The three traits of Openness, Conscientiousness, and Agreeableness accounted for variance in Machiavellianism, although this variance was minimal. Strong conclusions could not be drawn from this study given the TIPI’s poor reliability and inability to distinguish between further facets of the Big-Five. The first three studies in this thesis suggest females engage in subtle manipulation strategies directed towards same-sex friends. The two observation studies suggest a potential developmental pathway for females with higher Machiavellianism scores which includes avoiding detection from same-sex friends. These observation studies also indicated that these girls and women demonstrated behaviour that their friend or peers did not accept, although this specific behaviour requires further investigation. The studies presented in this thesis suggest further dyadic and longitudinal research is needed to (1) explore Machiavellianism and behaviour in female friendships and (2) investigate role of the Big-Five in the development of Machiavellianism

Why Machiavellianism Matters in Childhood: The Relationship Between Children's Machiavellian Traits and Their Peer Interactions in a Natural Setting

The current study investigated the association between Machiavellianism and children’s peer interactions in the playground using observational methods. Primary school children (N = 34; 17 female), aged 9 to 11 years, completed the Kiddie Mach scale and were observed in natural play during 39 recesses (average observed time = 11.70 hours) over a full school year. Correlations for boys revealed that Machiavellianism was related to more time engaging in direct and indirect aggression, being accepted into other peer groups, and accepting peers into their own social group. Correlations revealed that for girls, Machiavellianism was associated with lower levels of indirect aggression, less time being accepted into other groups and less time accepting and rejecting other children into their own group. This preliminary pilot study indicates that Machiavellianism is associated with children’s observed social behaviour and aims to promote future observational research in this area

Machiavellianism, emotional manipulation, and friendship functions in women's friendships

Machiavellianism and emotional manipulation has not been investigated in friendships. The current studies investigated Machiavellianism, emotional manipulation, and six friendship functions in women's same-sex friendships. For study 1, women (N = 221) completed the Mach IV, emotional manipulation measure (with reference to their own behaviour and their friend's behaviour), mood worsening and use of inauthentic displays from the managing emotions of others scale, and the friendship function measure. Machiavellianism predicted the self-perceived ability to employ emotional manipulation towards a same-sex friend and perceiving their friend to use emotional manipulation towards them. Machiavellianism predicted lower scores on all six friendship functions. For study 2, women (N = 186) completed the Mach IV, the modified emotional manipulation measure (with reference to their own behaviour and their friend's behaviour), and the friendship function measure. Women high on Machiavellianism reported using emotional manipulation more frequently towards their same-sex friend and perceived their same-sex friend to frequently use emotional manipulation towards them. Machiavellianism predicted lower scores on five of the friendship functions. These studies demonstrated that women higher on Machiavellianism employ emotional manipulation in their same-sex friendships. Women with higher Machiavellianism scores also perceived that they themselves were manipulated by their friend

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Individuals in Romantic Relationships: A Systematic Review

The COVID-19 pandemic has uniquely affected individuals in romantic relationships, with impacts upon both their individual and relational well-being. The aim of the present review was to examine impacts of the pandemic on individuals in romantic relationships, globally, through a thorough review of the existing empirical research. Literature was screened between October 2022 and April 2023. Screening following PRISMA guidelines identified 32 articles for inclusion within the review. Using thematic analysis, six themes were constructed and categorised into two larger groups. Group one outlines “Impacts” of the pandemic on: (1) Stress and Distress, (2) Satisfaction and Quality, and (3) Conflict and Turbulence. Group two identifies psychosocial coping “Processes” in response to the pandemic, including: (4) Changing Communication Styles, (5) Building Intimacy and Closeness, and (6) Practical Adaptation. Results revealed that pre-existing vulnerabilities were a considerable risk factor for couples who endured the most negative impacts from pandemic-related stressors. However, many were able to maintain their relationship quality throughout via engagement with responsive dyadic psychosocial coping processes, such as practical adaptation and skilful communication. This review highlights the importance of quality romantic relationships as both a protective factor during times of crisis, and for the promotion of individual psychological health and well-being, through engagement with effective dyadic psychosocial coping processes